Abstract:
A fuse and power distribution block is provided which includes a polymer base, and multiple conductive base blocks for connection with incoming power lines or outgoing accessory lines. Each conductive base block also provides multiple alternative fuse connections on a first upper horizontal platform, a second lower horizontal platform, and a third intermediate vertical platform interconnecting the first and second platforms. The fuse and power distribution block may, depending on the desired accessory system, include 4 or 6 conductive base blocks. The fuse and power distribution block has an attractive transparent polymer cover and shell.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from, and incorporates herein by reference, the subject matter of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/753,401 filed Jan. 16, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present application relates to a fuse and power distribution block for use in connection with electrical connection and circuit design and specifically, for a customizable fuse and power distribution block of the type commonly used in vehicle and recreational vehicle applications, where modification of fuse protection and power circuitry is desirable in order to accommodate a variety of equipment applications with high power requirements. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Most automobiles have two fuse panels. The fuse panel in the engine compartment typically contains the fuses for protection of the electrical circuits associated with vehicle functions such as cooling fans, anti-lock brakes, and engine control units. An interior fuse panel, usually located under the dash on the driver&#39;s side, protects electrical circuits associated with electrical devices inside the passenger compartment. Different fuse designs have different rating ranges. For example, AGU fuses (the glass cylinder type) are commercially available with ratings between 5 and 60 amps. MAXI fuses (blade type) are commercially available with ratings between 40 and 100 amps. The more expensive ANL (automatic noise limiting) fuses (wafer type) are commercially available with ratings between 60 and 300 amps, and are generally provided as power wire inline battery fuses. For even larger loads, circuit breakers may be required. 
         [0004]    Improvements in electronics have also increased the development and availability of high technology accessories for vehicles and recreational vehicles, such as CD players, DVD players, televisions, computers, high powered amplifiers, various stereo system components, and other appliances configured to operate at low voltages. The number of custom options available far exceeds the availability, capacity, and design of the original vehicle equipment or the factory supplied electric circuits. 
         [0005]    Frequently, the load requirement of a vehicle accessory exceeds the highest rated fuse that can fit in a factory supplied fuse panel. For example, many stereo amplifiers are rated at 2,000 or even 3,000 watts. 150 amp fuses are required for such an accessory. As a result, a separate fuse box, block or panel must generally be purchased for the custom accessory, which block must accommodate the larger amp fuses. 
         [0006]    The available space for such fuse blocks is limited, not to mention the further disadvantage that the custom electrical devices may also have significantly different load requirements, meaning different—higher or lower—current circuits with corresponding fuse ratings, may also be required, necessitating the purchase of more than one additional fuse block or panel. As a result of these custom design criteria, two or three different power distribution blocks may be required to accommodate different fuse designs, as well as the different sizes of AWG gage input wires. 
         [0007]    The large custom automobile market has also created a special demand for additional power distribution and high current load capable circuits. Multiple amplifiers in a custom audio system require maximum power for peak performance. Safely moving power from a vehicle battery to the amplifiers requires high performance power distribution and specific fuse capability. These applications require solutions that not only satisfy the electrical system functionality requirements and protect the expensive accessories, but the solutions are desired to be cosmetically enhancing. For example, the custom automobile industry may use fancy or stylish fuses (gold plated), and highly decorative architecture for the fuse panel. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    This application provides a distribution block which is a combination of adjustable power distribution circuitry and customizable fuse configuration in an attractive and efficient design to safely power multiple amplifiers or custom entertainment and/or audio system accessories. It is well understood by automotive audio system experts, that if you desire a high performance system which retains the quality of the sound, then amplifiers are required. Amplifiers provide better sound quality by driving the system speakers. Original equipment vehicle amplifiers built into the in-dash stereo have limited capabilities. Installing an external power amplifier, or amp, will provide cleaner sound and sound which is more defined at the highest volume levels. An amp will also supply needed power to any upgraded system speakers. A separate amplifier is also required for any system subwoofers which are installed, since subwoofers require much more power than original equipment in-dash receivers provide. Depending on the desired features of the customized audio system, numerous combinations of components may be involved. For example, a mono amplifier may be used for powering a subwoofer. A 2 or 4 channel amp may be used for some component speaker systems or for full range speakers, while a 4, 5, or 6-channel amp is needed to handle a combination of subwoofers and full range speakers. 
         [0009]    In the present application, a fuse and power distribution block is provided to enable adjustable power distribution circuitry and customizable fuse configurations. The device includes a transparent polycarbonate protective cover supporting a polycarbonate ribbed shell, all located on a polycarbonate base. The heat and impact-resistant base, shell and cover help protect the fuses and connections further supported on the base, once the block is installed in the vehicle, for example, within a vehicle engine compartment. The cover and shell are provided with locking tabs which snap into secure engagement with openings formed in the base to complete the installation. The shell is used over the cover, and while not required, it provides additional support to the cover, protection of the fuses and an enhanced appearance for the device. 
         [0010]    The present distribution block provides both an attractive and efficient use of space. The base is provided with numerous mounting holes for adjustability when mounting the fuse and power distribution block in the vehicle. Secured to the base are metal, for example brass or zinc or other appropriate metal, plates or base blocks. Six base blocks are provided in the illustrated embodiment, with three base blocks on one side of the base having openings for input power connectors on an external surface for receiving a power line, and three base blocks on an opposite side of the base have openings for outlet line connectors on an external surface for interconnection with accessory devices or ground wires. Each of the base blocks is secured to the base with conventional fasteners, and has 3 platforms for fuse interconnection: an upper horizontal platform, a lower horizontal platform, and a vertical platform intermediate the upper and lower platforms. Fuses are also connected by conventional fasteners. Specifically, the metal base corner blocks each have a single fuse connection on the upper and vertical platforms, and 2 fuse connections on the lower platform. The center metal base blocks, between the corners, have 2 fuse connections on each of the 3 platforms. The use of numerous fuse connections on each metal base block makes a variety of multiple Mini-ANL or AFS fuse connections and configurations possible for customized applications buss bars, or fuses of up to about 300 amps. These smaller Mini-ANL fuses are rated from 20A to 150A, though some larger sizes are available. By having multiple platforms for these smaller fuses, the present invention expands the potential of the Mini-ANL fuses to accommodate loads up to 300A. Numerous input and output power connectors may also be provided to accept a variety of AWG gauge cables, such as 4 to 1/0 gauge or 8 to 4 gauge. Connection to additional distribution blocks is also possible. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DRAWING DESCRIPTIONS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fuse and distribution block of the present application. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a top view of the fuse and distribution block of  FIG. 1  with the cover removed, and showing one Mini-ANL fuse positioned for connection to the block by conventional fasteners or solder material. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the fuse and distribution block of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the fuse and distribution block of  FIG. 2 , showing one of the 3 power connectors removed from the block, and the vertical platform on the metal base blocks for fuse interconnection. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5-9  are schematic representational views of the various alternate incoming, fuse and outgoing connections possible using the fuse and distribution block of the present application. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 10-14  are schematic representational views of various connections to a battery or batteries and additional entertainment accessory devices, such as amplifiers, speakers and tuners, together with possible fuse configuration connections for such power and accessory devices. 
           [0017]      FIG. 15   a  is a top view of the fuse and power distribution block. 
           [0018]      FIG. 15   b  is a side view of the block of  FIG. 15   a.    
           [0019]      FIG. 15   c  is an end view of the block of  FIG. 15   a.    
           [0020]      FIG. 15   d  is a bottom perspective view of the cover and ribbed shell removed from the base. 
           [0021]      FIG. 15   e  is a partial view of the base and conductive base blocks with the cover removed. 
           [0022]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 16   a  is a bottom perspective view of the device of  FIG. 16 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 16   b  is a top perspective view of the base of the device of  FIG. 15   e , with the conductive base blocks removed. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16   c  is a top perspective view of the cover without the ribbed shell. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0026]    A distribution block  20  is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 16   c , which enables a combination of adjustable power distribution circuitry and customizable fuse configuration in an attractive and efficient design intended and suitable for low voltage power distribution systems as defined, for example, by SAE specification J1127 or J1128, and wherein the operating voltage is specified as a nominal system voltage of 60 V DC (25 V AC) or less in surface vehicle electrical systems. Such a system has many applications, such as safely powering multiple amplifiers or custom entertainment and/or audio system accessories A. In the present application, the fuse and power distribution block  20  includes a transparent polycarbonate protective cover  22  supporting a polycarbonate ribbed shell  24 , all located on a polycarbonate base  26 . The heat and impact-resistant base  26 , shell  24  and cover  22  help protect the fuses F and connections C further supported on the base, once the block  20  is installed in the vehicle, for example, within a vehicle engine compartment. The cover  22  and shell  24  are provided with locking tabs  28  which snap into secure engagement with openings  30  formed in the base  26  to complete the installation. The shell  24  is used over the cover  22 , and while not required, it provides additional support to the cover, protection of the fuses F and an enhanced appearance for the device. 
         [0027]    The distribution block  20  provides both an attractive and efficient use of space, as shown in the attached  FIGS. 1 and 15   a  to  16   c . The base  26  is provided with numerous mounting holes  32  for adjustability when mounting the fuse and power distribution block  20  in the vehicle. Secured to the base are metal, for example brass or zinc or other appropriate metal, plates or base blocks  34 . Six base blocks  34  are provided in the illustrated embodiments, with three base blocks on one side  36  of the base having openings  37  for line connectors IC on an external surface, for example, receiving input lines, ground distribution, outlet lines or a power line IL, and three base blocks on an opposite side  38  of the base have openings  39  for line connectors OC on an external surface, for example, for input lines, power lines or outlet lines for interconnection OL with accessory devices A, batteries P or other ground wires G. The openings for connectors IC, OC are shown in  FIG. 4  with the connectors removed from the blocks  34 . Each of the base blocks  34  is secured to the base  26  with conventional fasteners through openings  40  in the base, and has 3 platforms for fuse F interconnection: an upper horizontal platform  42 , a lower horizontal platform  44 , and a vertical platform  46  intermediate the upper and lower platforms. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a Mini-ANL fuse F is secured on the vertical platform  46  of the central blocks  34   b  and connected to the block by conventional fasteners or solder material. Specifically, the metal base corner blocks  34   a  each have a single connection location on the upper horizontal and vertical platforms  42 ,  46 , and 2 connection locations on the lower horizontal platform  44 . The center metal base blocks  34   b,  between the corner blocks  34   a,  have 2 connections locations  50  on each of the 3 platforms. 
         [0028]      FIG. 5  shows 2 fuses F connected on the lower horizontal platforms  44 , one fuse being located between each of the opposing blocks  34  on the one base side  36  and the opposite base side  38 . In  FIG. 6 , 2 additional connections C are shown on the vertical platforms  46  of the blocks  34  on the one base side  36 , where each corner block  34   a  is connected to the central block  34   b,  and also on the corresponding upper horizontal platforms  42 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , fuses F are shown interconnecting each corner block  34   a  to its adjacent central block  34   b  on both the upper horizontal platform  42  and the lower horizontal platform  44 , and the central bocks  34   b  are also interconnected at C on their lower horizontal platforms  44 . In  FIG. 8 , the 2 sides of the base  36 ,  38  are not interconnected. Instead, fuses F are shown interconnecting each corner block  34   a  to its adjacent central block  34   b  on both the upper horizontal platform  42  and the lower horizontal platform  44  on the one base side  36 . On the opposite base side  38 , connections C are provided to interconnect each corner block  34   a  to its adjacent central block  34   b  on both the upper horizontal platform  42  and the vertical platform  46 . Finally, in  FIG. 9 , 6 fuses F are shown interconnecting each of the corner blocks  34   a  and central block  34   b  on the one side  36  with the opposite blocks  34   a,    34   b  on the opposite side  38 , along with connections C on one corner block  34   a  to its adjacent central block  34   b  on both the upper horizontal platform  42  and the vertical platform  46 . It should be noted that the additional vertical platform  46  allows for the same capacity laterally as the dual link configuration which is provided for opposing conductive blocks at on the lower horizontal platform  44 , versus using the upper horizontal platform  42  alone. 
         [0029]    The use of numerous fuse connections on each metal base block  34  makes a variety of multiple Mini-ANL or AFS fuse connections and configurations possible for customized applications buss bars, or fuses of up to about 300 amps. As shown in  FIGS. 10-14 , the present device enables the use of various combinations of connections to a battery or batteries P and additional entertainment accessory devices A, such as amplifiers, speakers and tuners, together with possible fuse configuration connections for such power and accessory devices. 
         [0030]    These smaller Mini-ANL fuses are rated from 20A to 150A, though some larger sizes are available. By having multiple platforms  42 ,  44 ,  46  for these smaller fuses, the present device  20  expands the potential of the Mini-ANL fuses to accommodate loads up to 300A. Numerous input P and output O power connectors may also be provided to accept a variety of AWG gauge cables, such as 4 to 1/0 gauge or 8 to 4 gauge. Connection to additional distribution blocks  20  is also possible. 
         [0031]    Although the fuse and distribution block of the present application has been described in detail sufficient for one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the device as defined in the attached claims. Moreover, the scope of the present device is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments described here, which are provided by way of example. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present device and its embodiments, other components and means presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function to achieve substantially the same result as those of the corresponding embodiments described here, may be utilized according to the present application. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such other components or means.