Patent Publication Number: US-2018040448-A1

Title: Fuse positioning fixture

Description:
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a fuse positioning fixture configured to expedite the placement of fuses in a fuse relay center of a truck. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Trucks often include a fuse relay center, which houses in a single device a number of fuses used by various circuits in the electrical system of the vehicle. In an effort to avoid the expense associated with designing a custom fuse relay center for different trucks or different truck models, a common fuse relay center may be used across several product lines. A fuse relay center may be designed to include fuse holders for circuits specific to particular truck models in addition to fuse holders for the circuits common to all the truck models. In conventional practice, the necessary fuses for a particular truck or truck model, common and specific, are placed in the fuse relay center by hand, according to instructions provided to a technician working on an assembly line. While generally effective, such a process is often arduous and time consuming. Further, such a process is prone to technician error, which may add delay and/or cost to the production of the truck. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus and method for placing fuses into a fuse relay center that is efficient and accurate, saving both time and expense associated with the production of a truck. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to a fuse positioning fixture configured to expedite the placement of fuses in a fuse relay center. In one embodiment, a fuse positioning fixture includes a fuse positioning template and a fuse loading block. The fuse positioning template is a plate shaped element that provides an interface to the relay center and includes a bottom surface configured to securely sit on top of a fuse relay center. The fuse positioning template includes a number of fuse positioning openings corresponding to the fuse holder positions in the fuse relay center. Each of the fuse positioning openings extends through the fuse positioning template (i.e., is open on both a top surface and a bottom surface of the template) and aligns with a corresponding fuse holder in the fuse relay center when the fuse positioning template is placed on the fuse relay center. The solid portion of the fuse positioning template between the fuse positioning openings provides a fuse blocking portion as described below. The fuse loading block mounts for sliding on an upper surface of the fuse positioning template. The fuse loading block includes a number of fuse loading openings, which each extend through the fuse loading block and correspond with a different one of the fuse positioning openings. The fuse loading block is configured to slidably engage with a top surface of the fuse positioning template to be movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, each of the fuse loading openings aligns with the fuse blocking portion of the fuse positioning template such that fuses placed in the fuse loading openings are held there by the fuse blocking portion. In the second position, each of the fuse loading openings aligns with a different one of the fuse positioning openings such that fuses located in the fuse loading openings may be delivered through the fuse positioning openings to a fuse holder in the fuse relay center. By allowing fuses to be placed into and held in the fuse loading block before dropping them into a fuse holder in the fuse relay center, technicians may more accurately and efficiently provide fuses into a fuse relay center. Accordingly, this portion of a truck manufacture process may be improved, thereby saving both time and expense. 
     In one embodiment, the fuse loading block is biased in the first position by a biasing mechanism. The biasing mechanism may be a biasing spring. In one embodiment, the biasing spring acts between a surface of a biasing spring guide channel in the fuse positioning template and a biasing post formed on the fuse loading block. 
     In one embodiment, the fuse positioning template includes a number of fastener holders extending from the top surface thereof. The fuse loading block may include an equal number of elongated apertures. The elongated apertures of the fuse loading block accept the fastener holders of the fuse positioning template, such that the fastener holders are permitted to slide relative to the elongated apertures. The apertures may be elongated either along a longitudinal axis of the fuse positioning fixture or a lateral axis of the fuse positioning fixture, thereby allowing the fuse loading block to move along the longitudinal axis or the lateral axis, respectively. In one embodiment, fasteners engage the fastener holders to secure the fuse loading block with the fuse positioning template while allowing for sliding movement. 
     In one embodiment, the bottom surface of the fuse positioning template includes a number of alignment recesses, which are configured to accept a different alignment notch extending from the fuse relay center. In one embodiment, the alignment recesses of the fuse positioning template only accept the alignment notches of the fuse relay center in a single orientation. Accordingly, correctly placing the fuse positioning fixture on top of the fuse relay center may easily be accomplished and verified. 
     In one embodiment, a top surface of the fuse loading block includes a number of fuse template pockets, which are each adjacent to a different one of the fuse loading openings. The fuse template pockets are configured to hold a template fuse to indicate the type of fuse to be placed in the adjacent fuse loading opening. In one embodiment, the template fuses are fuses with the conducting portion removed so that they may properly sit in the fuse template pockets. The template fuses allow a technician loading the fuse positioning fixture to easily see which fuses should be placed in which fuse loading openings, thereby further improving accuracy and efficiency of fuse placement into a fuse relay center. 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate the scope of the present disclosure and realize additional aspects thereof after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments in association with the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a fuse positioning fixture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows an isomeric view of the fuse positioning fixture according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  show top views of the fuse positioning fixture according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of a fuse loading block according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the fuse loading block according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  show a cross-sectional view of the fuse positioning fixture through the operation thereof according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  show a cross-sectional view of the fuse positioning fixture through the operation thereof according to an additional embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  show a cross-sectional view of a fuse relay center according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The embodiments set forth below represent the necessary information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure and the accompanying claims. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “on” or extending “onto” another element, it can be directly on or extend directly onto the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” or extending “directly onto” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Likewise, it will be understood that when an element such as a layer, region, or substrate is referred to as being “over” or extending “over” another element, it can be directly over or extend directly over the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly over” or extending “directly over” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are no intervening elements present. 
     Relative terms such as “below” or “above” or “upper” or “lower” or “horizontal” or “vertical” may be used herein to describe a relationship of one element, layer, or region to another element, layer, or region as illustrated in the Figures. It will be understood that these terms and those discussed above are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in addition to the orientation depicted in the Figures. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” and/or “including” when used herein specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  show a fuse positioning fixture  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of the fuse positioning fixture  10  while  FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of the fuse positioning fixture  10 . The fuse positioning fixture  10  includes a fuse positioning template  12 , a first fuse loading block  14 , a second fuse loading block  16 , a first biasing spring  18 , a second biasing spring  20 , and a number of fasteners  22 . The fuse positioning template  12  includes a top surface  24  and a bottom surface  26 . The fuse positioning template  12  includes a number of fuse positioning openings  28 , which extend from the top surface  24  through the fuse positioning template  12 . The solid portions of the top surface  24  between the fuse positioning openings  28  provide a fuse blocking portion  30  as described below. The fuse positioning openings  28  are arranged in rows, which are separated by the fuse blocking portion  30 . 
     In one embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the fuse positioning openings  28  are arranged in two groups, such that a first group of the fuse positioning openings  28  is oriented with the rows in a first direction that is parallel to a longitudinal surface  32  of the fuse positioning template  12  and a second group of the fuse positioning openings  28  is oriented with the rows parallel to a lateral surface  34  of the fuse positioning template  12 . Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the particular layout of the fuse positioning openings  28  required for a particular layout of fuse holders in a fuse relay center. 
     The fuse loading blocks  14 ,  16  are positioned on the top surface  24  for sliding movement thereon. The top surface  24  of the fuse positioning template  12  includes fuse loading block guides  36 , which are ridges formed on the top surface and positioned to abut opposite lateral surfaces of one of the first fuse loading block  14  or the second fuse loading block  16  when the fuse positioning fixture  10  is assembled. The fuse loading block guides  36  define a fuse loading block channel  38  that limits the sliding movement of the particular fuse loading block  14 ,  16  along a single direction. 
     A first biasing spring guide channel  40  and a second biasing spring guide channel  42  are formed in the top surface  24  of the fuse positioning template  12  to hold the first biasing spring  18  and the second biasing spring  20 , respectively. The biasing springs act on the fuse loading blocks  14 ,  16  to bias the loading blocks to a first position, as described below. While a biasing spring is shown as one exemplary biasing mechanism for the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16 , any suitable biasing mechanism capable of providing a sufficient force to hold the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16  in the first position may be used without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. 
     A number of fastener holders  44  extend outward from the top surface  24  of the fuse positioning template  12  in the form of substantially circular posts. 
     The bottom surface  26  of the fuse positioning template  12  includes a number of alignment recesses  46 , which engage alignment notches formed on the fuse relay center (not shown) to correctly orient the fuse positioning template  12  to be easily and securely on the fuse relay center. Generally, the alignment recesses  46  on the fuse positioning fixture  10  and the alignment notches on the fuse relay center are constructed such that the alignment recesses  46  align with the alignment notches in a single orientation, thereby ensuring that the fuse positioning fixture  10  is properly placed on the fuse relay center each time. 
     Each of the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16  includes a top surface  48  and a bottom surface  50 . Further, each of the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16  includes a number of fuse loading openings  52  which extend through the respective fuse loading block and correspond to a different one of the fuse positioning openings  28 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fuse loading openings  52  of the first fuse loading block  14  are oriented to be parallel to the longitudinal surface  32  of the fuse positioning template  12 , while the fuse loading openings  52  of the second fuse loading block  16  are oriented to be parallel to the lateral surface  34  of the fuse positioning template  12 . The particular arrangement and orientation of the fuse loading openings  52  will vary depending on the fuse positioning openings  28  of the fuse positioning template  12 , which, as discussed above, vary depending on the particular layout of the fuse holders in a fuse relay center with which the fuse positioning fixture  10  is to be used. 
     The top surface  48  of the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16  further includes a number of fuse template pockets  54 , which extend into the top surface  48  but not through to the bottom surface  50 . The fuse template pockets  54  are sized to hold a template fuse adjacent to a particular fuse loading opening  52  to indicate the type of fuse that should be placed in the associated fuse loading opening  52 . The fuse template pockets  54  may be sized such that a fuse placed therein lies flush with the top surface  48 , or so that a template fuse placed therein extends from the top surface  48  such that the template fuse is easily grasped for removal. Generally, the fuse template pockets  54  are placed adjacent to fuse loading openings  52  that require a fuse common to all the makes or models of trucks for which the fuse positioning fixture  10  is currently being used. 
     The top surface  48  of the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16  further includes a pair of elongated apertures  56 . The elongated apertures  56  each receive a fastener holder  44  when the fuse loading block is positioned on the fuse positioning template  12 . Each elongated aperture  56  has a width that is approximately the same as the diameter of one of the fastener holders  44 . The fastener holders  44  allow the fuse loading block to slide in a single direction and provide start and end points for movement. In one embodiment, the pair of elongated apertures  56  of the first fuse loading block  14  are oriented such that it is permitted to move parallel to the lateral surface  34  of the fuse positioning template  12 , while the pair of elongated apertures  56  of the second fuse loading block  16  are oriented such that it is permitted to move parallel to the longitudinal surface  32  of the fuse positioning template  12 . The fasteners  22  each extend through a different one of the elongated apertures  56  and into a different one of the fastener holders  44 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6A , the bottom surface  50  of both the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16  includes a biasing post  58  that extends outward from the bottom surface  50 . The biasing post  58  is of a width and depth sufficient to extend into the first biasing spring guide channel  40  in the case of the first fuse loading block  14  and the second biasing spring guide channel  42  in the case of the second fuse loading block  16 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a bottom view of the first fuse loading block  14  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the first fuse loading block  14  includes the fuse loading openings  52 . Further, the first fuse loading block  14  includes the pair of elongated apertures  56  and the biasing post  58 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the second fuse loading block  16  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the second fuse loading block  16  includes the fuse loading openings  52 . Further, the second fuse loading block  16  includes the pair of elongated apertures  56  and the biasing post  58 . 
       FIG. 3A  shows a top view of the fuse positioning fixture  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure in which the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16  are each in the first position discussed above. That is, the first fuse loading block  14  and the second fuse loading block  16  are each arranged such that the fuse loading openings  52  are aligned with a fuse blocking portion  30  of the fuse positioning template  12  such that fuses placed in the fuse loading openings  52  are held in the fuse loading openings  52  and not permitted to pass through the fuse positioning template  12 . A first cross-section  6 A- 6 A′ and a second cross-section  6 B- 6 B′ are each indicated in  FIG. 3A  and detailed in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
       FIG. 3B  shows a top view of the fuse positioning fixture  10  wherein the first fuse loading block  14  is left in the first position and a force is applied to the second fuse loading block  16  to move the second fuse loading block  16  into the second position discussed above. In the second position of the second fuse loading block  16 , the fuse loading openings  52  therein align with the fuse positioning openings  28  in the fuse positioning template  12 , thereby allowing fuses placed in the fuse loading openings  52  to fall through the fuse positioning openings  28  and into a fuse holder in a fuse relay center over which the fuse positioning fixture  10  is placed. A third cross-section  7 A- 7 A′ and a fourth cross-section  7 B- 7 B′ are each indicated in  FIG. 3B  and detailed in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
       FIGS. 6A-B  and  7 A-B illustrate operational details of the fuse positioning fixture  10  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show cross-sections taken along lines  6 A- 6 A′ and  6 B- 6 B′ of  FIG. 3A , respectively, which illustrate the fuse positioning template  12  and the second fuse loading block  16  when the second fuse loading block  16  is biased in the first position. While not shown, the details of operation of the first fuse loading block  14  are substantially similar to those discussed below with respect to the second fuse loading block  16  and will be readily understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. As shown in  FIG. 6A , the second biasing spring  20  is positioned between the biasing post  58  of the second fuse loading block  16  and a surface of the second biasing spring guide channel  42  to apply a force such that the second fuse loading block  16  is held in the first position. In the first position of the second fuse loading block  16 , the fuse loading openings  52  therein are aligned with the fuse blocking portion  30  of the fuse positioning template  12  to close the bottom ends of the fuse loading openings. Further, as seen in  FIG. 6B , the fastener holders  44  of the fuse positioning template  12  abut a first surface  60  of the elongated apertures  56  in the second fuse loading block  16 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 6A , a template fuse  62  is shown loaded in the fuse template pocket  54  of the second fuse loading block  16 . Further, the fuse positioning fixture  10  is shown on top of a fuse relay center  64  including a number of fuse holders  66 , and a number of fuses  68  are shown loaded into the fuse loading openings  52 . The fuses  68  are each held in the fuse loading openings  52  by the fuse blocking portion  30  of the fuse positioning template  12  below each of the fuse loading openings  52 . Notably, the fuse loading openings  52  are sized to vertically hold the fuses  68  in place while making it easy to verify that the fuses  68  have been correctly placed. Further, the fuse loading openings  52  are sized such that the fuses  68  placed therein are easy to remove and replace in the case of an incorrect placement. The fuses  68  may be placed in the fuse loading openings  52  by a technician as indicated by the template fuses  62  in one or more fuse template pockets  54  and/or by written or visual instructions provided to the technician. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  show cross-sections taken along lines  7 A- 7 A′ and  7 B- 7 B′ of  FIG. 3B , respectively, which illustrate the fuse positioning template  12  and the second fuse loading block  16  after the second fuse loading block  16  is moved into the second position for discharge of the loaded fuses  68 . As shown in  FIG. 7A , when force is applied to the second fuse loading block  16  in a direction to counteract the force provided by the second biasing spring  20 , the second biasing spring  20  compresses, thereby allowing the second fuse loading block  16  to move to the second position where the fuse loading openings  52  align with the fuse positioning openings  28  of the fuse positioning template  12 . The elongated portions of the elongated apertures  56  of the second fuse loading block  16  travel along the fastener holders  44  of the fuse positioning template  12  such that the fastener holders  44  abut a second surface  70  of the elongated apertures  56 . In the second position, the fuses  68  drop through the fuse loading openings  52  and through the fuse positioning openings  28  into a respective one of the fuse holders  66  in the fuse relay center  64 . The fuses  68  are held vertically in place by the fuse holders  66  in the fuse relay center  64 , but are not yet fully seated. Generally, the second fuse loading block  16  will be moved into the second position by a technician upon placement of the fuses  68  and confirming that the fuses are correctly placed. Allowing a technician to first place the fuses  68  and then inspect the accuracy of their placement before dropping the fuses  68  into place significantly improves both the efficiency and accuracy of fuse placement by a technician. 
       FIG. 8A  shows the fuse relay center  64  after the fuse positioning fixture  10  has been removed therefrom. A seating tool  72  is placed on top of the fuses  68  and pressed downward to properly seat the fuses  68  into the fuse holders  66  of the fuse relay center  64 .  FIG. 8B  shows the fuses  68  properly seated in the fuse holders  66  of the fuse relay center  64 . 
     Using the fuse positioning fixture  10  to provide fuses into a fuse relay center greatly improves both the efficiency and accuracy of the task when compared to placing the fuses by hand. By using template fuses as visual indicators and allowing technicians to easily place and verify the fuses placed into the fuse positioning fixture  10  before choosing to drop the fuses into place, significant improvements can be made in this portion of the truck manufacturing process. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein and the claims that follow.