BUS BAR CONNECTOR HAVING A REPLACEABLE FUSE

A bus bar connector with a replaceable fuse are provided. A first terminal assembly inside the casing includes a first connecting element and plural first resilient contacts electrically connected with the first connecting element. A second terminal assembly inside the casing includes a second connecting element and plural second resilient contacts. An end of the second connecting element is electrically connected with the plural second resilient contacts, and another end of the second connecting element extends to form a cable connecting portion. The first cable assembly includes a first cable body extending from at least one of the left and right sides of the casing, and a cable connection portion connected to one side of the first cable body. The fuse element is connected in series between the cable connection portion and the first connecting element. The second cable assembly is electrically connected to the cable connecting portion.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 111121368, filed on Jun. 9, 2022. The entire content of the above identified application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a bus bar connector, and more particularly to a bus bar connector having a replaceable fuse.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

In the related art, bus bar connectors are mainly used in devices such as server chassis. The bus bar connector is suitable for large current, but traditional fuses suitable for high current are large in size. In order to replace the fuse easily, a larger fuse holder is required. However, the server chassis has a limited interior space, and the server chassis requires a working environment with an unobstructed cooling air duct, so that it is impossible to install a fuse holder suitable for high current inside the server chassis.

On the other hand, in order to realize the circuit protection function of the fuse element, several fuse elements are usually soldered on the motherboard of a traditional server device. When the fuse element is burned out and needs to be replaced by a new one, it is necessary to disassemble an external mechanism of the server device to take out the motherboard, and then debond the broken fuse element before it is replaced by a new one. The entire replacement process is complicated and time-consuming.

Therefore, how to arrange a replaceable fuse element inside the plug connector of the bus bar connector through the improvement of structural design has become one of the important issues to be solved in this field.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacy, the present disclosure provides a bus bar connector having a replaceable fuse.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a bus bar connector having a replaceable fuse, which includes a casing, a first terminal assembly, a second terminal assembly, at least one first cable assembly, at least one fuse element and at least one second cable assembly. The casing has two socket openings formed on a front side thereof. The first terminal assembly is disposed inside the casing, in which the first terminal assembly includes a first connecting element and plural first resilient contacts, the plural first resilient contacts are disposed to form a first interface, the first interface is communicated with one of the two socket openings, and a first end portion of the first connecting element is electrically connected with the plural first resilient contacts. The second terminal assembly is disposed inside the casing, in which the second terminal assembly includes a second connecting element and plural second resilient contacts, the plural second resilient contacts are disposed to form a second interface, the second interface is communicated with another one of the two socket openings, one end of the second connecting element is electrically connected with the plural second resilient contacts, and another end of the second connecting element extends to form a cable connecting portion. The at least one first cable assembly includes a first cable body and a cable connection portion, in which the cable connection portion is connected to a side of the first cable body, and the first cable body extends from at least one of a left side and a right side of the casing. The at least one fuse element is connected between the cable connection portion and the first connecting element in series, and the at least one second cable assembly is electrically connected to the cable connecting portion.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a bus bar connector having a replaceable fuse, which includes a casing, fixed frame, a first terminal assembly, a second terminal assembly, a first cable assembly, at least one fuse element and a second cable assembly. The casing includes two socket openings. The fixed frame is disposed on a side of the casing, in which the fixed frame has an accommodating portion and a first lateral outlet formed on a side. The first terminal assembly is disposed inside the casing, in which the first terminal assembly includes a first connecting element and plural first resilient contacts, the plural first resilient contacts are disposed to form a first interface, the first interface is communicated with one of the two socket openings, an end of the first connecting element is connected with the plural first resilient contacts, and another end of the first connecting element extends inserted into the fixed frame. The second terminal assembly is disposed inside the casing, in which the second terminal assembly includes a second connecting element and plural second resilient contacts, the second connecting element is connected with the plural second resilient contacts, the plural second resilient contacts are disposed to form a second interface, and the second interface is communicated with another one of the two socket openings. The first cable assembly includes a first cable body and a cable connection portion connected to one side of the first cable body, the first cable body has a first fixed portion, and the first fixed portion is disposed at the first lateral outlet. The least one fuse element is disposed in the accommodating portion, in which the least one fuse element is connected between the cable connection portion and the first connecting element. The second cable assembly includes a second cable body, in which the second cable body has a second fixed portion, and the second fixed portion is connected to the second connecting element.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure provides a bus bar connector having a replaceable fuse, which includes a casing, fixed frame, a first terminal assembly, a second terminal assembly, a first cable assembly, at least one fuse element and a second cable assembly. The casing includes two socket openings. The fixed frame is disposed on an opposite side opposite to a side where the two socket openings of the casing are formed, in which the fixed frame includes a first accommodating portion, a second accommodating portion, and a third accommodating portion, and the first accommodating portion and the second accommodating portion are located on a same side of the third accommodating portion. The first terminal assembly is disposed inside the casing, in which the first terminal assembly includes a first connecting element and plural first resilient contacts, the plural first resilient contacts are disposed to form a first interface, the first interface is communicated with one of the two socket openings, the first connecting element is disposed in the first accommodating portion, and an end of the first connecting element is connected with the plural first resilient contacts, and another end of the first connecting element extends into the third accommodating portion. The second terminal assembly is disposed inside the casing, in which the second terminal assembly includes a second connecting element and plural second resilient contacts, the second connecting element is connected with the plural second resilient contacts, the plural second resilient contacts are disposed to form a second interface, and the second interface is communicated with another one of the two socket openings. The first cable assembly includes a first cable body and a cable connection portion connected to the first cable body, in which the first cable body has a first fixed portion, the first fixed portion is fixed in the first accommodating portion, an end of the cable connection portion is connected to the first fixed portion and another end of the cable connection portion is bent and extended to the third accommodating portion. The least one fuse element is disposed in the third accommodating portion, in which the least one fuse element is connected between the cable connection portion and the first connecting element. The second cable assembly includes a second cable body, in which the second cable body has a second fixed portion, the second fixed portion is fixed in the second accommodating portion, and the second fixed portion is connected to the second connecting element.

The beneficial effect of the present disclosure is that the bus bar connector with the replaceable fuse provided by the present disclosure can utilize the bus bar connector having a fixed frame, and the fixed frame having at least one accommodating portion, so that a first connecting element of the first terminal assembly, a second connecting element of the second terminal assembly and two fuse elements can be disposed in at least one accommodating portion. Compared with the fuse elements in the related art, which are all welded on the motherboard of the server device, the bus bar connector with the replaceable fuse provided by the present disclosure can be configured to place the fuse elements in at least one accommodating portion of the connector, which is convenient for users to replace, simplifies the replacement steps, and improves the work efficiency of replacing the fuse components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

Referring toFIG.1toFIG.3, the first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bus bar connector M1having a replaceable fuse, which includes a casing1, a fixed frame2, a first terminal assembly3, a second terminal assembly4, at least one first cable assembly5, at least one fuse element6and at least one second cable assembly7. In this embodiment, the number of the first cable assembly5, the fuse element6and the second cable assembly7is two. It is worth mentioning that the bus bar connector M1provided by the present disclosure and the bus bar connectors M2, M3and M4in the following embodiments are mainly side-out type bus bar connectors. The casing1includes a first casing wall11, a second casing wall12, and two wings13respectively disposed between the first casing wall11and the second casing wall12. The first casing wall11has two first slot holes110, the second casing wall12has two second slot holes120, and each wing portion13has a positioning hole130formed on the bottom thereof. In addition, the casing1further has two socket openings10(such as two socket portions) formed on the front side of the bus bar connector M1, and the fixed frame2is disposed on the opposite side (i.e., the rear side of the bus bar connector M1) opposite to the side where the two socket openings10are formed. The first terminal assembly3and the second terminal assembly4are disposed inside the casing1. The two fuse elements6are disposed on the fixed frame2. One end of each first cable assembly5is fixed on the fixed frame2and is electrically connected to the first terminal assembly3through the two fuse elements6. The two first cable assemblies5are respectively extended from two sides of the fixed frame2. One end of each second cable assembly7is disposed in the fixed frame2and is electrically connected to the second terminal assembly4. The two second cable assemblies7are respectively extended from the two sides of the fixed frame2. For simplification of the schematic drawings, the first cable assembly5and the second cable assembly7are omitted inFIG.1toFIG.2.

Referring toFIG.3andFIG.4, the first terminal assembly3includes a first connecting element31and plural first resilient contacts32, and the second terminal assembly4includes a second connecting element41and plural second resilient contacts42. The first resilient contacts32are respectively disposed at one of two opposite sides to form a first interface30(such as a clamping portion), and the second resilient contacts42are respectively disposed at one of two opposite sides to form a second interface40(such as a clamping portion). The first resilient contacts32and the second resilient contacts42are disposed in the casing1, so that the first interface30can be communicated with one of the socket openings10and the second interface40can be communicated with the other socket opening10. The first connecting element31includes a first receiving portion311, and the first connecting element31further includes at least one first through hole3110at the position of the first receiving portion311. The second connecting element41includes a cable connecting portion411and two positioning portions412.

Referring toFIG.5, the fixed frame2can be configured to form a first accommodating portion21, a second accommodating portion22and a third accommodating portion23. The first accommodating portion21and the second accommodating portion22are located on the same side of the third accommodating portion23. The fixed frame2has a shaft post2A on one side of the third accommodating portion23, and the fixed frame2further includes two abutting portions26. The two abutting portions26also respectively have two guiding grooves (not shown). In addition, the fixed frame2also has a second receiving portion24and a third receiving portion25, and both the second receiving portion24and the third receiving portion25are communicated with the third accommodating portion23.

Continuing to referring toFIG.5, the first connecting element31of the first terminal assembly3is inserted into the first accommodating portion21along the negative Z-axis direction. The first connecting element31has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is a connecting portion312, which is electrically connected to the first resilient contacts32. The second end portion is the first receiving portion311formed by bending, which extends to the third accommodating portion23and is adjacent to the shaft post2A. The second connecting element41of the second terminal assembly4is inserted into the second accommodating portion22along the positive Z-axis direction, and the two positioning portions412are respectively disposed in two guiding grooves of the two abutting portions26(not shown). At this time, the connecting portion411is located on the back side of the third accommodating portion23.

Continuing to refer toFIG.1toFIG.3, each first cable assembly5includes a first cable body51and a cable connection portion52connected to one side of the first cable body51. The two fuse elements6are disposed in the third accommodating portion23. Each fuse element6include a first fixing hole60A (such as a screw hole) and a second fixing hole60B (such as a screw hole) respectively disposed on two ends thereof. Each cable connection portion52includes a through hole520. Referring toFIG.5, the second receiving portion24further includes at least one second through hole240, and the third receiving portion25further includes at least one third through hole250. In this embodiment, the number of the first through holes3110is two, and the number of the second through hole240and the third through hole250is one, but it is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As shown inFIG.3, the two fuse elements6are disposed in series. Therefore, the second fixing hole60B of one of the fuse elements6overlaps with the first fixing hole60A of the other fuse element6.

Based on the above description, the bus bar connector M1further includes a first screwing element91, a second screwing element92and a third screwing element93. The first screwing element91includes a screw911and a nut912, the second screwing element92includes a screw921and a nut922, and the third screwing element93includes a screw931and a nut932. The three nuts912,922and932are respectively disposed in the first receiving portion311, the second receiving portion24and the third receiving portion25.

Continuing to refer toFIG.2, when the first screwing element91, the second screwing element92and the third screwing element93are configured to fix the two fuse elements6and the two first cable assemblies5, the first screwing element91is connected with the two fuse elements6. Specifically, the screw911of the first screwing element91passes through the first fixing hole60A of one of the fuse elements6, the second fixing hole60B of the other fuse element6and the first through hole3110of the second section3113so as to combine with the nut912. The second screwing element92is connected between one of the fuse elements6and one of the cable connection portions52, and the third screwing element93is connected between the other fuse element6and the other cable connection portion52. Specifically, the screw921of the second screwing element92passes through the first fixing hole60A of one of the fuse elements6, the through hole520of one of the cable connection portions52and the second through hole240of the second receiving portion24so as to combine with the nut922. The screw931of the third screwing element93passes through the second fixing hole60B of the other fuse element6, the through hole520of the other cable connection portion52and the third through hole250of the third receiving portion25so as to combine with the nut932. Therefore, the two fuse elements6are connected in series between the two cable connection portions52and are electrically connected to the first connecting element31. It should be noted that, when the screw921is combined with the nut922, it will clamp a part of the fixed frame2in the second receiving portion24; similarly, when the screw931is combined with the nut932, it will also clamp a part of the fixed frame2in the third receiving portion Therefore, the second screwing element92and the third screwing element93are not only used to connect the two fuse elements6and the two cable connection portions52, but also are configured to fix the two fuse elements6and the two cable connection portions52on the fixed frame2.

In addition, the bus bar connector M1further includes a first cover81, one side of the first cover81is provided with a pivot portion81A and the other side of the first cover81is provided with two first retaining portion811. The first cover81is pivotally connected to the shaft post2A of the fixed frame2through the pivot portion81A, so that the first cover81can pivot around the shaft post2A to perform opening and closing actions. It is worth mentioning that, as shown inFIG.2, when the bus bar connector M1of the present disclosure is inserted into the server device, a convex portion1A located on the first casing wall11of the casing1is upward (i.e., the positive Z-axis direction), the second casing wall12of the casing1faces the circuit board of the server device, and the shaft post2A and the pivot portion81A are adjacent to the second casing wall12. Thereby, the opening direction of the first cover81is from top to bottom so as to prevent the two fuse elements6from being blocked by the first cover81(that is to say, the user will not be blocked by the first cover81) when replacing the two fuse elements6by the user.

In addition, referring toFIG.1, the first cover81and the fixed frame2collectively form two first lateral outlets80A, and the two first lateral outlets80A are respectively located on the left and right sides of the bus bar connector M1. On the other hand, the two first lateral outlets80A are correspondingly located on the left and right sides of the casing1, respectively. The two first cable bodies51respectively pass through the two first lateral outlets80A and extend outwardly from both sides of the third accommodating portion23. The first cover81is configured to cover the two fuse elements6and the two cable connection portions52, and the first cover81is provided with two openings810, and the two openings810respectively correspond to the two fuse elements6(i.e., each openings810respectively expose at least one portion of the corresponding fuse elements6), so that the heat dissipation effect of the two fuse elements6during operation is better. In addition, when the first cover81is pivoted relative to the fixed frame2to be closed, the two first retaining portions811are respectively and detachably retained in the two first slot holes110. Moreover, a pressing element812and the two first retaining portions811are disposed on the same side, and the user can press the pressing element812to open the first cover81.

Continuing to refer toFIG.3, each second cable assembly7is electrically connected to the cable connecting portion411of the second connecting element41. Each second cable assembly7includes a second cable body71and a cable connection portion72connected to one side of the second cable body71, and the two cable connection portions72are respectively electrically connected to the cable connecting portion411of the second connecting element41. And the two second cable bodies71are respectively extended from two sides of the fixed frame2. In addition, the bus bar connector M1further includes a second cover82. The second cover82is configured to cover the cable connecting portion411and the two cable connection portions72.

Second Embodiment

Referring toFIG.6andFIG.7, a third embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bus bar connector M2having a replaceable fuse. The main difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the bus bar connector M2of this embodiment can be provided without a fixed frame. The bus bar connector M2includes a casing1, a first terminal assembly3, a second terminal assembly4, at least one first cable assembly5, at least one fuse element6and at least one second cable assembly7. Each least one first cable assembly5includes a first cable body51and a cable connection portion52. The cable connection portion52is connected to one side of the first cable body51. Each least one second cable assembly7includes a second cable body71and a cable connection portion72. The cable connection portion72is connected to one side of the second cable body71.

In this embodiment, the number of the first cable assembly5, the fuse element6and the second cable assembly7is two. The two first cable assemblies5respectively extend from two sides of the casing1.

Referring toFIG.8andFIG.9, the casing1includes a first casing wall11and two wings13respectively disposed on both sides of the first casing wall11. The casing1has two socket openings10formed on the front side of the bus bar connector M2. The first terminal assembly3and the second terminal assembly4are disposed inside the casing1. The first terminal assembly3includes a first connecting element31and plural first resilient contacts32, and the second terminal assembly4includes a second connecting element41and plural second resilient contacts42. The first resilient contacts32are respectively disposed at one of two opposite sides to form a first interface30, and the second resilient contacts42are respectively disposed at one of two opposite sides to form a second interface40.

The first connecting element31is formed by stamping and bending a metal piece. The structure and shape of the first connecting element31are the same as those in the first embodiment, which will not be repeated below. One end of the first connecting element31is connected with the first resilient contacts32, and the other end of the first connecting element31is bent to form a first receiving portion311. The two first cable assemblies5are electrically connected to the first connecting element31through the two fuse elements6, respectively. In this embodiment, at least one fuse element6is connected in series between the cable connection portions52and connected with the first receiving portion311of the first connecting element31.

The second connecting element41is also formed by stamping and bending a metal piece, one end of the second connecting element41is connected with the second resilient contacts42, and the other end of the second connecting element41is extended to form a cable connecting portion411. Furthermore, comparingFIG.4of the first embodiment withFIG.9of the present embodiment, the second connecting element41of the present embodiment only has one positioning portion412.

Referring toFIG.7toFIG.9, the two cable connection portions72are electrically connected to the cable connecting portion411. When the first terminal assembly3and the second terminal assembly4are disposed in the casing1, the first resilient contacts32and the second resilient contacts42are disposed in the casing1, so that the first interface30and one of the socket openings10are communicated with each other, and the second interface40and the other socket opening10are communicated with each other. The first receiving portion311of the first connecting element31and the second connecting element41are exposed on the opposite side opposite to the side where the two socket openings10of the casing1are formed.

In addition, the bus bar connector M2further includes a first screwing element91, a second screwing element92and a third screwing element93. The first screwing element91is connected between the two fuse elements6. The second screwing element92is connected between one of the fuse elements6and one of the cable connection portions52. The third screwing element93is connected between the other fuse element6and the other cable connection portion52. The first screwing element91, the second screwing element92and the third screwing element93are configured to fix the two fuse elements6and the two first cable assemblies5.

Referring toFIG.7,FIG.9andFIG.11, the casing1further includes a second receiving portion14and a third receiving portion15. The first screwing element91includes a screw911and a nut912, the second screwing element92includes a screw921and a nut922, and the third screwing element93includes a screw931and a nut932. The nut912is disposed in the first receiving portion311, the nut922is disposed in the second receiving portion14, and the nut932is disposed in the third receiving portion15. Each fuse element6include a first fixing hole60A and a second fixing hole60B respectively disposed on two ends thereof, each cable connection portion52includes a through hole520, the first connecting element31further includes at least one first through hole3110at the position of the first receiving portion311, the second receiving portion14further includes at least one second through hole140, and the third receiving portion15further includes at least one third through hole150. In this embodiment, the number of the first through holes3110is two, and the number of the second through holes140and the third through holes150is one, but it is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG.7andFIG.11, the two fuse elements6are disposed in series. Therefore, the second fixing hole60B of one of the fuse elements6overlaps with the first fixing hole60A of the other fuse element6. When the first screwing element91, the second screwing element92and the third screwing element93are configured to fix the two fuse elements6and the first cable assemblies5, the screw911of the first screwing element91passes through the first fixing hole60A of one of the fuse elements6, the second fixing hole60B of the other fuse element6, and the first through hole3110so as to combine with the nut912of the first screwing element91.

Based on the above description, the screw921of the second screwing element92passes through the first fixing hole60A of one of the fuse elements6, the through hole520of one of the cable connection portions52, and the second through hole140so as to combine with the nut922of the second screwing element92. The screw931of the third screwing element93passes through the second fixing hole60B of the other fuse element6, the through hole520of the other cable connection portion52, and the third through hole150so as to combine with the nut932of the third screwing element93.

Referring toFIG.10toFIG.11, the bus bar connector M2further includes a protective cover8, and the protective cover8is disposed on the opposite side (i.e., the rear side of the bus bar connector M2) opposite to the side where the two socket openings10of the casing1are formed. The protective cover8has two openings810to expose the fuse elements for heat dissipation and confirming if suitable fuse elements are assembled. The protective cover8includes a first cover81and a second cover82. The first cover81has a plurality of pivot portions81A disposed on one side thereof. The first cover81is pivotally connected to the second cover82through the pivot portions81A, so that the first cover81can pivot relative to the second cover82to perform opening and closing actions. The first cover81is configured to cover the two fuse elements6. The first cover81has two first lateral outlets80A respectively formed on both sides thereof, and the second cover82has two second lateral outlets80B respectively formed on both sides thereof. The two first cable bodies51respectively pass through the two first lateral outlets80A, and the two second cable bodies71respectively pass through the two second lateral outlets80B.

Third Embodiment

Referring toFIG.12toFIG.13, a third embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bus bar connector M3having a replaceable fuse, which includes a casing1′, a fixed frame2′, a first terminal assembly3′, a second terminal assembly4′, a first cable assembly5′, two fuse elements6′ and a second cable assembly7′.

The casing1′ includes a first casing wall11′, a second casing wall12′, and two wings13′ respectively disposed between the first casing wall11′ and the second casing wall12′. The first casing wall11′ has a plurality of first slot holes110′, and the second casing wall12′ has a plurality of second slot holes120′. In addition, the casing1′ also forms two socket openings10′ on the front side of the bus bar connector M3, and the fixed frame2′ is disposed on one side of the casing1′ (i.e., the rear side of the bus bar connector M3). The first terminal assembly3′ and the second terminal assembly4′ are disposed inside the casing1′. The two fuse elements6′ are disposed on the fixed frame2′. One end of the first cable assembly5′ is fixed on the fixed frame2′ and is electrically connected to the first terminal assembly3′ through the two fuse elements6′. One end of the second cable assembly7′ is disposed in the fixed frame2′ and is electrically connected to the second terminal assembly4′.

Referring toFIG.12andFIG.14toFIG.16, the bottom of the fixed frame2′ forms an accommodating portion21′ and a first receiving portion22′. The fixed frame2′ also has a stepped portion23′, and the stepped portion23′ is disposed on one side of the fixed frame2′ and is adjacent to the accommodating portion21′. The bottom of the stepped portion23′ forms a second receiving portion231′, and the accommodating portion21′ is located between the first receiving portion22′ and the second receiving portion231′. The first receiving portion22′ includes two first accommodating grooves221′, and the second receiving portion231′ includes two second accommodating grooves2311′. The fixed frame2′ also forms a first lateral outlet24′ on the opposite side opposite to the side where the stepped portion23′ is formed, and the fixed frame2′ also forms a slot25′ between the accommodating portion21′ and the stepped portion23′. As shown inFIG.12, the first lateral outlet24′ is located on one of the left and right sides of the bus bar connector M3. In addition, as shown inFIG.15, the fixed frame2′ further includes a plurality of positioning posts26′. The positioning posts26′ are formed on the top of the fixed frame2′, and the positioning posts26′ have different upper surface areas or shapes. One of the two wings13′ of the casing1′ which is closer to the fixed frame2′ has a plurality of positioning holes130′. When the fixed frame2′ is disposed on one side of the casing1′, the positioning posts26′ are respectively inserted into the positioning holes130′ so as to position the fixed frame2′ on the casing1′.

Continuing to refer toFIG.14, the first terminal assembly3′ includes a first connecting element31′ and plural first resilient contacts32′, and the second terminal assembly4′ includes a second connecting element41′ and plural second resilient contacts42′. The first resilient contacts32′ are respectively disposed at one of two opposite sides to form the first interface30′, and the second resilient contacts42′ are respectively disposed at two opposite sides to form the second interface40′.

Referring toFIG.17, one end of the first connecting element31′ is connected with the first resilient contacts32′, the first connecting element31′ extends around the stepped portion23′, and the other end of the first connecting element31′ is inserted into the slot25′. In addition, a part of the first connecting element31′ is located on one side of the second receiving portion231′.

Referring toFIG.13andFIG.14, the first cable assembly5′ includes a first cable body51′ and a cable connection portion52connected to one side of the first cable body51′. The first cable body51′ has a first fixed portion511′, the first fixed portion511′ is disposed and limited in the first lateral outlet24′, and the cable connection portion52′ is exposed from the first receiving portion22′. The two fuse elements6′ are disposed side by side in the accommodating portion21′, and the two fuse elements6′ are connected between the cable connection portion52′ and a part of the first connecting element31′ that is located in the second receiving portion231′.

Continuing to refer toFIG.13,FIG.14andFIG.17, the bus bar connector M3further includes two first screwing elements91′ and two second screwing elements92′. Each first screwing element91′ includes a screw911′ and a nut912′. The two nuts912′ are respectively disposed in the two first accommodating grooves221′. Each second screwing element92′ includes a screw921′ and a nut922′. The two nuts922′ are respectively disposed in the two second accommodating grooves2311′. The two screws911′ pass through the two fixing holes60′ of the two fuse elements6′ and the two through holes520′ of the cable connection portion52′ so as to combine with the two nuts912′ (that is to say, each screw911′ passes through one through hole520′ and one fixing hole60′). The two screws921′ pass through another two fixing holes60′ of the two fuse elements6′ and the two through holes310′ of the first connecting element31′ (that is to say, each screw921′ passes through one through hole310′ and one fixing hole60′) so as to combine with the nut922′ of the second screwing element92′. The second cable assembly7′ includes a second cable body71′, and the second cable body71′ has a second fixed portion711′. The second fixed portion711′ is connected to one end of the second connecting element41′, and the other end of the second connecting element41′ is connected with the second resilient contacts42′.

Continuing to refer toFIG.12toFIG.14, the bus bar connector M3further includes a protective cover8′. The protective cover8′ is provided on the opposite side opposite to the side where the two socket openings10′ of the casing1′ are formed, and the protective cover8′ is configured to cover the two fuse elements6′ and may have at least one opening to expose the two fuse elements6′ for heat dissipation. Furthermore, the protective cover8′ and the casing1′ form a second lateral outlet80′. The second lateral outlet80′ is located on the opposite side of the first lateral outlet24′ (i.e., another side of the left and right sides of the bus bar connector M3), so that the second fixed portion711′ of the second cable body71′ is located at the second lateral outlet and connected to the second connecting element41′. In other words, the first cable body51′ extends from the first lateral outlet24′, and the second cable body71′ extends from the second lateral outlet80′.

In addition, the protective cover8′ has a plurality of retaining portions81′. When the protective cover8′ is disposed on the casing1′, the retaining portions81′ are respectively and detachably clamped or retained in the first slot holes110′ and the second slot holes120′.

Fourth Embodiment

Referring toFIG.18andFIG.19, a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure provides a bus bar connector M4having a replaceable fuse, which includes a casing1″, a fixed frame2″, a first terminal assembly3″, a second terminal assembly4″, a first cable assembly5″, two fuse elements6″ and a second cable assembly7″.

The casing1″ includes a first casing wall11″, a second casing wall12″ and two wings13″ respectively disposed between the first casing wall11″ and the second casing wall12″. The first casing wall11″ has a plurality of first slot holes110″. The second casing wall12″ has a plurality of second slot holes120″. Each wing portion13″ has a plurality of positioning holes130″ formed on the bottom thereof. In addition, the casing1″ also forms two socket openings on the front side of the bus bar connector M4, and the fixed frame2″ is disposed on another side (e.g., the rear side of the bus bar connector M4) of the casing1″. The first terminal assembly3″ and the second terminal assembly4″ are disposed inside the casing1″. The two fuse elements6″ are disposed on the fixed frame2″. One end of the first cable assembly5″ is disposed in the fixed frame2″ and electrically connected to the first terminal assembly3″ through the two fuse elements6″. One end of the second cable assembly7″ is disposed in the fixed frame2″ and is electrically connected to the second terminal assembly4″.

Referring toFIG.20andFIG.21, the fixed frame2″ is disposed on the opposite side opposite to the side where the two socket openings10″ of the casing1″ are formed. The fixed frame2″ includes a first accommodating portion21″, a second accommodating portion22″, a third accommodating portion23″, and a first through opening20″ formed between the first accommodating portion21″ and the second accommodating portion22″. The first accommodating portion21″ and the second accommodating portion22″ are located on the same side of the third accommodating portion23″. Furthermore, the fixed frame2″ is a U-shaped structure, and the fixed frame2″ further includes a platform24″ and two side walls25″ respectively disposed on both sides of the platform24″. The two side walls25″ respectively form two second through openings250″. The platform24″ is provided with two accommodating grooves240″ adjacent to each second through opening250″, and the bottom of the platform24″ is provided with a guiding hole241″ adjacent to each accommodating groove240″. Each accommodating groove240″ is communicated with the corresponding guiding hole241″.

Based on the above description, the fixed frame2″ also has a plurality of retaining portions26″. The retaining portions26″ are evenly disposed on both sides of the fixed frame2″. In addition, the two side walls25″ of the fixed frame2″ respectively include a plurality of positioning posts251″. When the fixed frame2″ is disposed on one side of the casing1″, the retaining portions26″ are respectively and detachably clamped or retained in the first slot holes110″ and the second slot holes120″, and the positioning posts251″ are respectively inserted into the positioning holes130″ so as to fix the fixed frame2″ on the casing1″.

Referring toFIG.19andFIG.22, the first terminal assembly3″ includes a first connecting element31″ and plural first resilient contacts32″. The second terminal assembly4″ includes a second connecting element41″ and plural second resilient contacts42″. The first resilient contacts32″ are respectively disposed at two opposite sides to form a first interface30″. The second resilient contacts42″ are respectively disposed at two opposite sides to form a second interface40″. The first resilient contacts32″ and the second resilient contacts42″ can be disposed in the casing1″, so that the first interface30″ is communicated with one of the socket openings10″, and the second interface40″ is communicated with the other socket opening10″.

Referring toFIG.21toFIG.23, the first connecting element31″ is disposed in the first accommodating portion21″. One end of the first connecting element31″ is connected with the first resilient contacts32″, and another end of the first connecting element31″ is inserted into the first through opening20″ and extends into the third accommodating portion23″, and the two through holes310″ of the first connecting element31″ respectively and corresponding communicated with to the two guiding holes241″.

Continuing to refer toFIG.18andFIG.19, the first cable assembly5″ includes a first cable body51″ and a cable connection portion52″ connected to the first cable body51″. The first cable body51″ has a first fixed portion511″, and the first fixed portion511″ passes through one of the second through openings250″ and is located in the first accommodating portion21″. One end of the cable connection portion52″ is connected to the first fixed portion511″ and another end of the cable connection portion52″ is bent and extended to the third accommodating portion23″, so that the two through holes520″ of the cable connection portion52″ respectively correspond to another two of the guiding holes241″.

Continuing to refer toFIG.19toFIG.21, two fuse elements6″ are disposed side by side in the third accommodating portion23″, and the two fuse elements6″ are connected between the cable connection portion52″ and the connecting elements31″. Furthermore, the bus bar connector M4further includes two first screwing elements91″ and two second screwing elements92″. Each first screwing element91″ includes a screw911″ and a nut912″, and each second screwing element92″ includes a screw921″ and a nut922″. The two nuts912″ and the two nuts922″ are respectively disposed in the four accommodating grooves240″. The two screws911″ respectively pass through the two through holes520″ of the cable connection portion52″, two of the fixing holes60″ of the two fuse elements6″, and the two guiding holes241″ so as to combine with the two nuts912″ (that is to say, each screw911″ passes through one through hole520″ and one fixing hole60″), and clamp a part of the fixed frame2″ around the two guiding holes241″. The two screws921″ pass through another two fixing holes60″ of the two fuse elements6″, the two through holes310″ of the first connecting element31″ (that is to say, each screw921″ passes through one through hole310″ and one fixing hole60″) and another two guiding holes241″ so as to combine with the nut922″ of the second screwing element92″ and clamp a part of the fixed frame2″ around another two guiding holes241″.

Continuing to refer toFIG.19, the second cable assembly7″ includes a second cable body71″, and the second cable body71″ has a second fixed portion711″. The second fixed portion711″ passes through another second through opening250″ and is fixed in the second accommodating portion22″, and the second fixed portion711″ is connected to the second connecting element41″.

Continuing to refer toFIG.18andFIG.19, the bus bar connector M4further includes a protective cover8″. The protective cover8″ is provided on the opposite side opposite to the side where the fixed frame2″ is disposed on the casing1″. The protective cover8″ is configured to cover the two fuse elements6″. The two sides of the protective cover8″ (i.e., the left and right sides of the bus bar connector M4) respectively form two lateral outlets80″. When the protective cover8″ is configured to cover the two fuse elements6″, the first cable body51″ and the second cable body71″ respectively pass through the two lateral outlets80″ and extend outwardly from the two sides of the fixed frame2″.

Beneficial Effects of the Embodiments

The beneficial effect of the present disclosure is that the bus bar connector with the replaceable fuse provided by the present disclosure can utilize the bus bar connector having a fixed frame, and the fixed frame having at least one accommodating portion, so that a first connecting element of the first terminal assembly, a second connecting element of the second terminal assembly and two fuse elements can be disposed in at least one accommodating portion. Compared with the fuse elements in the related art, which are all welded on the motherboard of the server device, the bus bar connector with the replaceable fuse provided by the present disclosure can be configured to place the fuse elements in at least one accommodating portion of the connector, which is convenient for users to replace, simplifies the replacement steps, and improves the work efficiency of replacing the fuse components.