U.S. patent application number 15/790953 was filed with the patent office on 2019-04-25 for electrical unit.
The applicant listed for this patent is Lear Corporation. Invention is credited to Christopher J Darr, Peter Kowtun.
Application Number | 20190123495 15/790953 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 66171299 |
Filed Date | 2019-04-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190123495 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Darr; Christopher J ; et
al. |
April 25, 2019 |
ELECTRICAL UNIT
Abstract
An electrical unit includes a first housing member, a second
housing member, and a fuse assembly connected to the first housing
member. The first housing member and the second housing member may
provide a chamber to receive at least one electrical connector such
that the fuse assembly is disposed at least partially between the
first housing member and the at least one electrical connector. The
first housing member may be configured to retain said at least one
electrical connector. The fuse assembly may include a plurality of
fuses having current capacities of at least 80 amps. The fuse
assembly may include a bus bar and a plurality of fuses fixed to
the bus bar. Each of said at least one electrical connector may
include a plurality apertures or recesses disposed in a plurality
of rows and a plurality of columns.
Inventors: |
Darr; Christopher J;
(Livonia, MI) ; Kowtun; Peter; (Plymouth,
MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Lear Corporation |
Southfield |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
66171299 |
Appl. No.: |
15/790953 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 2085/0555 20130101;
H01R 27/02 20130101; H05K 7/026 20130101; B60R 16/0238 20130101;
H01H 85/0241 20130101; H01H 85/205 20130101; H01R 13/502 20130101;
H01R 13/68 20130101; H01H 2085/208 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/68 20060101
H01R013/68; H01R 13/502 20060101 H01R013/502; H01R 27/02 20060101
H01R027/02 |
Claims
1. An electrical unit, comprising: a first housing member; a second
housing member; and a fuse assembly connected to the first housing
member; wherein the first housing member and the second housing
member provide a chamber to receive at least one electrical
connector such that the fuse assembly is disposed at least
partially between the first housing member and the at least one
electrical connector; and in an assembled configuration, at least
some of the fuse assembly is disposed between a bottom wall of the
first housing member and said at least one electrical
connector.
2. The electrical unit of claim 1, wherein the first housing member
includes one or more latches that retain the fuse assembly in
contact with the bottom wall of the first housing member.
3. The electrical unit of claim 1, wherein the fuse assembly
includes a plurality of fuses having current capacities of at least
80 amps.
4. The electrical unit of claim 1, wherein the fuse assembly
includes a bus bar and a plurality of fuses fixed to the bus bar,
wherein the plurality of fuses are disposed in parallel with the
bottom wall of the first housing member.
5. The electrical unit of claim 1, wherein each of said at least
one electrical connector includes a plurality apertures or recesses
disposed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns.
6. The electrical unit of claim 1, including at least one fastener
configured to extend from a top side of the second housing member,
through the second housing member, and into the first housing
member.
7. The electrical unit of claim 1, wherein the second housing
member includes a connector housing portion, a second portion, and
a circuit board assembly disposed at least partially between the
connector housing portion and the second portion.
8. The electrical unit of claim 1, including a circuit board
assembly disposed in the second housing member.
9. The electrical unit of claim 8, wherein the circuit board
assembly includes a plurality of electrical terminals connected to
a circuit board, and the plurality of electrical terminals are
configured for insertion into the at least one electrical
connector.
10. The electrical unit of claim 8, including a fuse bus bar
connected to the first housing member, wherein the circuit board
assembly includes a circuit board bus bar connected to the fuse bus
bar.
11. The electrical unit of claim 1, wherein the first housing
member includes a recess configured to at least partially receive a
wiring harness cable connected to the at least one electrical
connector, wherein the recess includes a drain port.
12. The electrical unit of claim 1, including an electrically
conducting stud connected to the fuse assembly and extending
through an aperture in the first housing member away from the
second housing member.
13. The electrical unit of claim 1, wherein a first electrical
connector of the at least one electrical connector includes at
least 50 apertures.
14. (canceled)
15. The electrical unit of claim 16, wherein, in an assembled
configuration, at least some of the fuse assembly is disposed
between the bottom wall of the first housing member and said at
least one electrical connector.
16. An electrical unit, comprising: a first housing member; a
second housing member; a fuse assembly connected to the first
housing member; and a plurality of studs configured to connect the
fuse assembly with electrical cables; wherein the plurality of
studs are snap fit into slots in a bottom wall of the first housing
member; and the first housing member and the second housing member
provide a chamber to receive at least one electrical connector such
that the fuse assembly is disposed at least partially between the
first housing member and the at least one electrical connector.
17. (canceled)
18. A method of assembling an electrical assembly, the method
including: providing a first housing member; providing a second
housing member including a circuit board and a plurality of
electrical terminals connected to the circuit board; connecting a
fuse assembly to the first housing member; disposing at least one
electrical connector of a wiring harness such that at least some of
the fuse assembly is disposed between the at least one electrical
connector and a bottom wall of the first housing member; and
connecting the first housing member with the second housing member;
wherein connecting the first housing member with the second housing
member includes inserting the plurality of electrical terminals
into the at least one electrical connector; and the fuse assembly
is connected to the first housing member before the at least one
electrical connector is disposed.
19. (canceled)
20. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one electrical
connector includes a first electrical connector and a second
electrical connector; a first portion of the fuse assembly is
disposed between the first electrical connector and the first
housing member; and a second portion of the fuse assembly is
disposed between the second electrical connector and the first
housing member.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to electrical
units, including electrical units, junction boxes, and power
distribution boxes that may be used in connection with
vehicles.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This background description is set forth below for the
purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this
background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise
qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted
as prior art against the instant disclosure.
[0003] Some electrical units may be utilized in connection with
separate pre-fuse assemblies that may require additional cables
and/or wiring harnesses. Some electrical units may be configured
for external connections with wiring harnesses.
[0004] There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or
eliminate one or more challenges or shortcomings of electrical
units. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate
examples of the present field and should not be taken as a
disavowal of scope.
SUMMARY
[0005] In embodiments, an electrical unit may include a first
housing member, a second housing member, and/or a fuse assembly
connected to the first housing member. The first housing member and
the second housing member may provide a chamber to receive at least
one electrical connector such that the fuse assembly is disposed at
least partially between the first housing member and the at least
one electrical connector. The first housing member may be
configured to retain said at least one electrical connector. The
fuse assembly may include a plurality of fuses having current
capacities of at least 80 amps. The fuse assembly may include a bus
bar and a plurality of fuses fixed to the bus bar. Each of said at
least one electrical connector may include a plurality apertures or
recesses disposed in a plurality of rows and a plurality of
columns.
[0006] With embodiments, an electrical unit may include at least on
fastener configured to extend from a top side of the second housing
member, through the second housing member, and into the first
housing member. The second housing member may include a connector
housing portion, a fuse housing portion, and/or a circuit board
assembly that may disposed at least partially between the connector
housing portion and the fuse housing portion. An electrical unit
may include a circuit board assembly disposed in the second housing
member. A circuit board assembly may include a plurality of
electrical terminals connected to a circuit board. The plurality of
electrical terminals may be configured for insertion into the at
least one electrical connector. An electrical unit may include a
fuse bus bar connected to the first housing member. A circuit board
assembly may include a circuit board bus bar connected to the fuse
bus bar.
[0007] In embodiments, a first housing member may include a recess
configured to at least partially receive a wiring harness cable
connected to the at least one electrical connector. A recess may
include a drain port. An electrical unit may include an
electrically conducting stud connected to the fuse assembly and
extending through an aperture in the first housing member. A first
housing member is configured to be mounted to a vehicle. An
electrical unit may include a cover connected to the second housing
member, and a plurality of fuses connected to the second housing
member. The plurality of fuses may be disposed at least partially
between the second housing member and the cover. In an assembled
configuration, at least some of the fuse assembly may be disposed
between a bottom wall of the first housing member and said at least
one electrical connector. A first housing member may include a
first recess, the second housing member may include a second
recess, and, in an assembled configuration, the first recess may be
aligned with the second recess to provide an aperture configured to
receive a cable connected to said at least one electrical
connector.
[0008] With embodiments, an electrical assembly may include an
electrical unit that may include a first housing member, a second
housing member connected to the first housing member, and/or a fuse
assembly connected to the first housing member. The fuse assembly
may be disposed at least partially between the first housing member
and the second housing member. The electrical assembly may include
an electrical connector configured for connection with a wiring
harness. The electrical connector may be disposed entirely within
the electrical unit. A fuse assembly may be disposed at least
partially between the electrical connector and a base wall of the
first housing member.
[0009] In embodiments, a method of assembling an electrical
assembly may include providing a first housing member, providing a
second housing member including a circuit board and a plurality of
electrical terminals connected to the circuit board, connecting a
fuse assembly to the first housing member, disposing at least one
electrical connector of a wiring harness such that at least some of
the fuse assembly is disposed between the at least one electrical
connector and a bottom wall of the first housing member, and/or
connecting the first housing member with the second housing member.
Connecting the first housing member with the second housing member
may include inserting the plurality of electrical terminals into
the at least one electrical connector. A second housing member may
include a circuit board bus bar. Connecting the first housing
member with the second housing member may include inserting a
portion of the circuit board bus bar into an electrical terminal
connected to a bus bar of the fuse assembly.
[0010] The foregoing and other aspects, features, details,
utilities, and/or advantages of embodiments of the present
disclosure will be apparent from reading the following description,
and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view generally
illustrating an embodiment of an electrical unit according to
teachings of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view generally
illustrating an embodiment of an electrical unit according to
teachings of the present disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view generally illustrating an
embodiment of an electrical unit according to teachings of the
present disclosure.
[0014] FIGS. 4-7 are perspective views generally illustrating
embodiments of electrical units, including fuse assemblies,
according to teachings of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view generally illustrating
embodiments of an electrical unit and electrical connectors
according to teachings of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view generally illustrating
embodiments of an electrical unit and electrical connectors
according to teachings of the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective view generally illustrating
embodiments of an electrical unit, including a first housing member
and a second housing member, and electrical connectors, according
to teachings of the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view generally illustrating
embodiments of an electrical unit, including a first housing member
and a second housing member, and electrical connectors, according
to teachings of the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 12 is a perspective view generally illustrating an
embodiment of a first housing member of an electrical unit
according to teachings of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present
disclosure will be described in conjunction with embodiments and/or
examples, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit
the present disclosure to these embodiments and/or examples. On the
contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives,
modifications, and equivalents.
[0021] In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1 and
2, an electrical assembly 20 may include an electrical unit 22
and/or one or more electrical connectors (e.g., electrical
connectors 24A, 24B). An electrical unit 22 may include a first
housing member 30 (e.g., a connector housing portion), a fuse
assembly 32, a second housing member 34 (e.g., a fuse housing
portion), and/or a cover 36. A first housing member 30 may be
configured for connection with a second housing member 34. A cover
36 may be configured for connection with second housing member
34.
[0022] With embodiments, a first housing member 30 may be
configured to house a fuse assembly 32 and/or one or more
connectors 24A, 24B, such as wiring harness connectors. A fuse
assembly 32 may be configured as a pre-fuse assembly, may be
referred to herein as a pre-fuse assembly, and/or may be configured
to limit current from a power source (e.g., a vehicle battery), but
is not limited to a pre-fuse assembly. A pre-fuse assembly 32 may
include, for example and without limitation, a fuse or pre-fuse bus
bar 40 and/or a plurality of fuses (e.g., fuses 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D)
that may be connected, electrically and/or physically, to fuse bus
bar 40. Fuses 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D may be configured for connection
with one or more corresponding cables 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D that may
be connected, for example and without limitation, to vehicle
components, such as a pump and/or a motor. Cables 44A, 44B, 44C,
44D may be connected to fuses 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D via studs 46A,
46B, 46C, 46D that may be connected to first housing member 30
and/or that may extend through respective apertures 48A, 48B, 48C,
48D in fuses 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D and apertures 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D in
cables 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D. Studs 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D may, for
example and without limitation, may be configured to slide into
corresponding slots 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D of first housing member 30
and/or may be connected via a snap fit to first housing member 30
via one or more snap members 54A, 54B, 54C, 54D. Slots 52A, 52B,
52C, 52D may be disposed in a base or bottom wall 56 of first
housing member 30. One or more nuts 58A, 58B, 58C, 58D may be
screwed onto studs 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D, such as to fasten cables
44A, 44B, 44C, 44D with fuses 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D and/or to connect
fuse assembly 32 with first housing member 30. In embodiments,
fuses 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D may be configured as high current fuses
and may, for example and without limitation, include current
capacities of at least 50 amps, such as about 80 amps and/or about
125 amps. The current capacities of fuses 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D may or
may not be the same. First housing member 30 may include one or
more apertures (e.g., apertures 60A, 60B, 60C) that may be
configured to receive cables 44A, 44B, 44C, 44D. For example and
without limitation, a side wall 96 of first housing member 30 may
include apertures 60A, 60B, 60C. Side wall 96 may be disposed
substantially perpendicularly to base or bottom wall 56.
[0023] In embodiments, a pre-fuse assembly 32 may include a power
post 62 that may extend through an aperture 64 in pre-fuse bus bar
40 and/or a corresponding aperture 66 in first housing member 30
such that power post 62 may extend outside of first housing member
30 (e.g., downward). Power post 62 may, for example and without
limitation, be configured for connection with a power source, such
as a vehicle battery, and may be electrically conducting. A
pre-fuse bus bar 40 may include a first portion 70 and/or a second
portion 72. First portion 70 may be disposed substantially
perpendicularly to second portion 72. First portion 70 and second
portion 72 may be disposed substantially in a common plane (e.g., a
horizontal plane). First portion 70 may be connected with fuses
42A, 42B, 42C that may extend generally perpendicularly to first
section 70 and/or may extend generally in parallel with second
section 72. Aperture 66 may be disposed at or about an end 74 of
second portion 72. First housing member 30 may include one or more
latch members 80A, 80B, 80C that may be configured to retain second
portion 72, at least in one direction (e.g., a vertical direction).
Latch member(s) 80A, 80B, 80C may extend from base or bottom wall
56 and/or may hold/retain pre-fuse bus bar 40 in contact with base
or bottom wall 56.
[0024] With embodiments, a pre-fuse bus bar 40 may include a third
portion 90 that may extend perpendicularly to first portion 70
and/or second portion 72 (e.g., may extend substantially vertically
and/or toward second housing member 34). One or more electrical
terminals 92 may be connected (e.g., fixed) to third portion 90.
First housing member 30 may include one or more recesses or
apertures 94A, 94B that may be configured to receive electrical
terminal 92. Recesses or apertures 94A, 94B may, for example,
extend substantially vertically. An electrical terminal 92 may be
configured for connection with a bus bar of second housing member
34, such as, for example and without limitation, a circuit board
bus bar 100 (e.g., to provide electrical power to second housing
member 34).
[0025] In embodiments, a first housing member 30 may be configured
to partially or entirely receive one or more connectors 24A, 24B. A
connector 24A, 24B may be connected to and/or configured for
connection with a wiring harness cable 110A, 110B. A connector 24A,
24B may, for example and without limitation, include a plurality of
apertures 112 that may be disposed in a plurality of rows and/or a
plurality of columns. Some or all of apertures 112 that may each
correspond to a respective electrical terminal of a connector 24A,
24B. For example and without limitation, a connector may include at
least about 50 apertures 112 (e.g., about 58 apertures). A first
housing member 30 may include one or more retaining features 120
that may be configured to retain a connector 24A, 24B relative to
first housing member 30 in at least one direction (e.g., a vertical
direction). Retaining features 120 may be configured to engage
corresponding connector features 122 (e.g., recesses, protrusions,
etc.) of connectors 24A, 24B. For example and without limitation,
first housing member 30 may include a first set of retaining
features 120.sub.1, 120.sub.2, 120.sub.3 that may be configured to
engage connector features 122.sub.1, 122.sub.2, 122.sub.3 of a
first connector 24A and/or first housing member 30 may include a
second set of retaining features 120.sub.4, 120.sub.5, 120.sub.6
that may be configured to engage connector features 122.sub.4,
122.sub.5, 122.sub.6 of a second connector 24B. If first connector
24A and/or second connector 24B are inserted into first housing
member 30 (e.g., substantially vertically downward), retaining
features 120 may receive respective connector features 122 of
connectors 24A, 24B. Connectors 24A, 24B may then be moved
horizontally to a position in which retaining features 120 may
restrict and/or prevent vertical movement. Retaining features 120
may be configured to retain first connector 24A and/or second
connector 24B that apertures 112 may open away from fuse assembly
32 and/or base or bottom wall 56 (e.g., open toward second housing
member 34). In a connected/assembled configuration, at least a
portion (e.g., a bottom half) of first connector 24A and/or second
connector 24B may be disposed in first housing member 30.
[0026] With embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 1,
2, 10, and 11, a second housing member 34 may include a
first/bottom portion 130 and a second/top portion 132. First
portion 130 and second portion 132 may be connected together. First
portion 130 and/or second portion 132 may be configured to house a
circuit board assembly 140. A circuit board assembly 140 may
include a circuit board 142, a circuit board bus bar 100,
electrical terminals 144, and/or electrical components 146 (e.g.,
relays, switches, fuses, resistors, capacitors, power supplies,
controllers, processors, etc.). A circuit board bus bar 100 may
include a first section 150 and a second section 152 that may or
may not be separate from each other. Circuit board bus bar 100 may
be connected to a first/bottom side 154 of circuit board 142. A
first section 150 of circuit board bus bar 100 may be connected to
circuit board 142 and/or may be connected to (e.g., inserted into)
an electrical terminal 92 of pre-fuse bus bar 40. For example and
without limitation, first section 150 may include an extension 156
that may extend (e.g., vertically downward) through first portion
130 of second housing member 34 into electrical terminal or
terminals 92, which may include extending into recesses or
apertures 94A, 94B of first housing member 30.
[0027] In embodiments, a second/top portion 152 of second housing
member 34 may be configured to at least partially receive one or
more fuses 160. For example and without limitation, a plurality of
fuses 160 may be inserted into a top side 162 of second portion 152
and may extend through top side 162 to connect with circuit board
assembly 140.
[0028] With continued reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 10, and 11, in
embodiments, an electrical unit 22 may include one or more
fasteners (e.g., fastener 170), such as a bolt. Fasteners 170 may
be configured to connect second housing member 34 with first
housing member 30 and/or with one or more electrical connectors
24A, 24B. For example and without limitation, a head 172 of a
fastener 170 may be disposed at a top side 162 of second portion
132 of second housing member 34 and a body 174 of fastener 170A may
extend into or through second portion 132, circuit board 142,
and/or first portion 130 and may extend into (e.g., be screwed
into) an aperture 30A of first housing member. Additionally or
alternatively, a fastener 170 may be screwed into a connector 24A,
24B. An electrical unit 22 may include a plurality of fasteners 170
that may, for example and without limitation, be screwed into
respective apertures 30A of first housing member and/or into
electrical connectors 24A, 24B.
[0029] In embodiments, a first housing member 30 and a second
housing member 34 may cooperate to provide an internal chamber 180.
Internal chamber 180 may be configured to partially or entirely
receive one or more connectors, such as a first connector 24A
and/or a second connector 24B. With embodiments, first housing
member 30 and second housing member 34 may cooperate to provide one
or more apertures through which a wires or cables (e.g., wiring
harness cables 110A, 110B) may extend. For example and without
limitation, first housing member 30 may include a first recess 182
and a second recess 184 that may, in an assembled configuration,
align with a first recess 186 and a second recess 188,
respectively, of second housing member 34 to provide a first
aperture 190 and a second aperture 192, respectively. First
aperture 190 may be configured such that first connector 24A may
not fit through first aperture 190 and/or second aperture 192 may
be configured such that second connector 24B may not fit through
second aperture 192 (e.g., first and second apertures 190, 192 may
be smaller, in at least one dimension, than first and second
connectors 24A, 24B). In embodiments, in an assembled
configuration, at least some of a pre-fuse assembly 32 may be
disposed between a base or bottom wall 56 of first housing member
30 and first connector 24A and/or may be disposed between base or
bottom wall 56 and second connector 24B. With embodiments, pre-fuse
assembly 32 may be the only thing disposed between first connector
24A and first housing member 30 and/or between second connector 24B
and second housing member 34 (e.g., in a vertical direction). In
embodiments, aperture 190 may be disposed at least partially above
aperture 60A and/or aperture 192 may be disposed at least partially
above aperture 60C. Some or all of apertures 60A, 60B, 60C, 190,
and/or 192 may be separate/independent from each other.
[0030] In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIG. 12, an
electrical unit 22 may include one or more drain ports through
which fluid (e.g., water) may be permitted to exit electrical unit
22. For example and without limitation, a first drain port 200 may
be disposed in a bottom surface 202 of first recess 182 of first
housing member 30 and a second drain port 204 may be disposed in a
bottom surface 206 of second recess 184 of first housing member
30.
[0031] With embodiments, an electrical unit 22 may include a cover
36 that may be configured to at least partially cover second
portion 132 of second housing member 34 and/or some or all of fuses
160 that may be connected to second portion 132. A sealing member
210 may be disposed between cover 36 and second portion 132 to
provide a fluid seal between cover 36 and second portion 132.
[0032] With embodiments, an electrical unit 22 may not include any
external connectors or slots for directly connecting with
corresponding connectors (e.g., all electrical connections may be
made entirely within electrical unit 22). In embodiments, an
electrical unit 22 may be configured as a power distribution box
with an integrated pre-fuse assembly and a top down
configuration.
[0033] In embodiments, such as generally illustrated in FIGS. 3-12,
a method of assembling an electrical assembly 20 may include
providing one or more portions of an electrical unit 22, which may
include providing a first housing member 30, providing a second
housing member 34, and/or providing a fuse assembly 32. A second
housing member 34 may include a circuit board assembly 140 that may
include a circuit board 142 and/or a plurality of electrical
terminals 144 connected to circuit board 142. The method may
include connecting a fuse assembly 32 to first housing member 30
(see, e.g., FIGS. 3-5). Connecting a fuse assembly 32 to first
housing member 30 may include sliding one or more studs 46A, 46B,
46C, 46D into slots 52A, 52B, 52C, 52D of first housing member 30
such that the one or more studs 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D snap into place.
Fuses 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D which may be fixed to a pre-fuse bus bar
40, may be disposed over studs 46A, 46B, 46C, 46D such that studs
46A, 46B, 46C, 46D are inserted into apertures of fuses 42.
Connecting a fuse assembly 32 to first housing member 30 may
include connecting a second portion 72 of pre-fuse bus bar 40 to
first housing member 30 via a snap connection, such as via a pair
of opposing latch members 80A, 80B and/or may include connecting a
first portion 70 of pre-fuse bus bar 40 to first housing member 30
via a snap connection, such as via a latch member 80C.
[0034] With embodiments, a method of assembling an electrical
assembly 20 may include disposing at least one electrical connector
24A, 24B of a wiring harness such that at least some of fuse
assembly 32 is disposed between the at least one electrical
connector 24A, 24B and a bottom wall 56 of first housing member 30.
The method may include connecting first housing member 30 with
second housing member 34. First housing member 30 and the second
housing member 34 may be connected such that the at least one
electrical connector 24A, 24B is disposed at least partially
between fuse assembly 32 and the second housing member 34 (e.g., in
an internal chamber 180).
[0035] With embodiments, connecting the first housing member 30
with the second housing member 34 may include inserting a plurality
of electrical terminals 144 of circuit board assembly 140 into the
at least one electrical connector 24A, 24B. Second housing member
34 may include a circuit board bus bar 100. Connecting first
housing member 30 with second housing member 34 may include
inserting a portion (e.g., extension 156) of circuit board bus bar
100 into an electrical terminal 92 connected to a pre-fuse bus bar
40. One or more fasteners 170 may be inserted into and/or through
second housing member 34 and screwed into first housing member 30
(e.g., into an aperture 30A of first housing member 30) and/or into
electrical connector 24A and/or 24B. A cover 36 may be connected to
second housing member 34.
[0036] Various embodiments are described herein for various
apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are
set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall
structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as
described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying
drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art,
however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such
specific details. In other instances, well-known operations,
components, and elements have not been described in detail so as
not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the
embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting
examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific
structural and functional details disclosed herein may be
representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the
embodiments.
[0037] Reference throughout the specification to "various
embodiments," "with embodiments," "in embodiments," or "an
embodiment," or the like, means that a particular feature,
structure, or characteristic described in connection with the
embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus,
appearances of the phrases "in various embodiments," "with
embodiments," "in embodiments," or "an embodiment," or the like, in
places throughout the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular
features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any
suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular
features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described
in connection with one embodiment/example may be combined, in whole
or in part, with the features, structures, functions, and/or
characteristics of one or more other embodiments/examples without
limitation given that such combination is not illogical or
non-functional. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the present
disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.
[0038] It should be understood that references to a single element
are not necessarily so limited and may include one or more of such
element. Any directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper,
lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top,
bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and
counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid
the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not
create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation,
or use of embodiments.
[0039] Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and
the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate
members between a connection of elements and relative movement
between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily
imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed
relation to each other. The use of "e.g." in the specification is
to be construed broadly and is used to provide non-limiting
examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is
not limited to such examples. Uses of "and" and "or" are to be
construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as "and/or"). For example
and without limitation, uses of "and" do not necessarily require
all elements or features listed, and uses of "or" are intended to
be inclusive unless such a construction would be illogical.
[0040] It is intended that all matter contained in the above
description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be
interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in
detail or structure may be made without departing from the present
disclosure.
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