AU2016202422A1

AU2016202422A1 - Fuse Terminal Wire Seal

Info

Publication number: AU2016202422A1
Application number: AU2016202422A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Thomas Holmes
Original assignee: Lumen International Holdings Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Lumen International Holdings Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2016-04-15
Filing date: 2016-04-15
Publication date: 2017-11-02
Also published as: AU2022283785B2; AU2022283785A1

Abstract

Referring to figures 1 to 3, the most preferred form of the invention, a first form of the sealing body 10 (referred to just as the first sealing body 10) including a front surface 17a and a rear surface 17b, a seal 15, a single hole 18 and a set of two holes 12a and 5 12b. The set of two holes 12a and 12b extend through the first sealing body 10 from the front surface 17a to the rear surface 17b. The set of two holes 12a and 12b adapted to receive split wires from a spliced line forming two wires. Each wire adapted to extend through one of the holes in the set of two holes 12a and 12b. The distance between the centrelines of holes 12a and 12b is two times the diameter of the holes 0 12a and 12b. The diameter (0) of the holes 12a and 12b is 1.4mm and the distance between the centrelines of the holes 12a and 12b is 2.8mm. Fig. 1 12a ~ k4 13b~ 12b 19a 18t 17a

Description

FUSE TERMINAL WIRE SEAL FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a wire sealing body. More particularly, this invention relates to an automotive fuse terminal wire seal.

BACKGROUND ART

The following references to and descriptions of prior proposals or products are not intended to be, and are not to be construed as, statements or admissions of common general knowledge in the art. In particular, the following prior art discussion should not be assumed to relate to what is commonly or well known by the person skilled in the art, but to assist in the inventive process undertaken by the inventor(s) and in the understanding of the invention.

In the automotive industry the use of fuses is required to protect electrical circuitry. Fuses have been described that are required to be mounted in locations where they are exposed to substances or fluids, such as water and dust. As a result, connector bodies which house the fuses may need a seal to produce a water-tight enclosure for the fuse, terminal and connecting wires. A silicone-rubber seal may be used that allows wires to enter and exit the connector whilst maintaining an air tight connector body. Current solutions have limitations as, under current standards, it is only possible to form a seal around a single wire per terminal.

An object of the present invention is to ameliorate the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative thereto.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

The invention according to one or more aspects is as defined in the independent claims. Some optional and/or preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided: A fuse terminal wire seal including: a front and a rear spaced substantially parallel surfaces; a seal located in a plane generally parallel to the front or rear surface, whereby the sealing body is made to engage and be held in a socket connector; holes to insert a wire through, wherein the fuse terminal wire seal having at least one set of multiple holes, wherein: the holes extending through the whole fuse terminal wire seal are transverse to the front or rear surface; the set of multiple holes adapted to receive multiple wires, each wire adapted to extend through one of the holes of the set of multiple holes; and the distance between the centrelines of adjacent holes of the set of multiple holes being less than three times the diameter of one of the holes of the set of multiple holes.

The fuse terminal wire seal (referred to as a sealing body) may be in part or entirely made of rubber, plastic, silicone, a silicone rubber compound or similar materials. Preferably, the sealing body is made of a silicone rubber compound. The sealing body may be for insertion into a seal holder or a fuse terminal housing component. Preferably, the sealing body is for insertion into a fuse terminal housing component. Preferably, the sealing body is for insertion into an existing part. The sealing body may be one body or multiple parts which together form the sealing body. Preferably, the sealing body is one body.

The front and rear spaced substantially parallel surfaces may be the front most and rear most surfaces. The front and rear spaced substantially parallel surfaces may not be the front most and rear most surfaces because other components may be in front or behind them. Preferably, the rear spaced substantially parallel surface is the rear most surface and the front spaced substantially parallel surface is not the front most surface. Preferably, a shoulder extends proud of the front surface. The front and rear surfaces may be flat, substantially flat or may have other features and contours which make up the front and rear surfaces. Preferably, the front and rear surfaces are flat, excluding other features mentioned.

The seal may include a separate O-ring seal or a feature which fonns part of the main body and is in the form of an O-ring and performs the function of an O-ring. The seal may include multiple O-ring type features, such as ribs on the outer surface of the sealing body. The seal may include glue, silicone or sealant which may be applied to the sealing body before insertion into seal holder component. The seal may include a skirt or similar feature. Preferably, the seal includes multiple O-ring or rib type features. The seal may be made of silicone, glue, rubber, a silicone rubber material or similar materials. The seal may be a separate component added to the main body or may be a feature on the sealing body such that it is formed as part of the main body. Preferably, the seal is a feature on the sealing body.

Preferably, the main body describes the part of the sealing body which has the largest volume, in the case where the sealing body includes multiple parts which together form the sealing body.

The sealing body may be held in the socket connector through a push interference fit, it may clip into, may be glued in place using silicone or glue or may be held in using external components. Preferably, the sealing body is held in the socket connector through a push interference fit.

The number of holes in a set of multiple holes may be two or more. Preferably, the number of holes in a set of multiple holes is two. There may be one or more single holes. There may be no single holes. Preferably, there is either none or one single hole. There may be one or more sets of multiple holes. Preferably, there is one or two sets of multiple holes. The single hole and the holes in the set of multiple holes may have different diameters. The holes in the set of multiple holes may have different diameters. All holes in the sealing body may have the same diameter. Preferably, all holes in the sealing body have the same diameter. The single hole and the holes in the set of multiple holes may include features other than the hole, such as chamfers and tapered or conical shaped surfaces. Preferably, the holes include chamfers on the front and rear faces. Preferably, the holes extend through the entire sealing body.

Preferably, the single holes receive single wires, for example a wire in the shape of a regular cylinder with a circle as it’s cross section. The wires may be from a spliced single large wire, multiple separate wires enclosed in joined but separable conduits, multiple separate wires enclosed in the same conduit or multiple separate wires with unjoined conduits. Preferably, the split wires are multiple separate wires enclosed in the same conduit. Preferably, the split wires are going to the same terminal.

Adjacent holes may include all holes in a set of multiple holes. Adjacent holes may include only holes immediately next to each other in the set of multiple holes. Each hole in the set of multiple holes may be adjacent to at least one other hole, for example the holes in the set of multiple holes may be arranged in a circular pattern. Preferably, adjacent holes include all holes in a set of multiple holes.

The diameter taken from one of the holes in the set of multiple holes to determine the maximum distance between the centrelines of adjacent holes may be the smallest hole, the largest hole or the average of the holes. Preferably, the diameter is taken from the largest hole in the set of multiple holes.

In another aspect, the invention provides: A fuse terminal wire seal including: a front and a rear spaced substantially parallel surfaces; a seal located in a plane generally parallel to the front or rear surface, whereby the sealing body is made to engage and be held in a socket connector; holes to insert a wire through, wherein the fuse terminal wire seal having at least one set of multiple holes, wherein: the holes extending through the whole fuse terminal wire seal are transverse to the front or rear surface; the set of multiple holes adapted to receive multiple wires, each wire adapted to extend through one of the holes of the set of multiple holes; and the distance between the centrelines of adjacent holes of the set of multiple holes being less than three times the diameter of one of the holes of the set of multiple holes. wherein the set of multiple holes includes: at least one raised shoulder extending proud of the front surface around the set of multiple holes; and at least one recess in the rear surface around the set of multiple holes.

There may be one raised shoulder around each hole or each set of multiple holes.

There may be multiple raised shoulders around one or more holes in the set of multiple holes. Preferably, there is one raised shoulder around each set of multiple holes. The raised shoulder may raise the whole front surface or part of the front surface. The raised shoulder may take the shape of a cylinder which may have different shaped cross sections, a segment of a cone or other similar shapes. The raised shoulder may have tapered faces. Preferably, the raised shoulder is in the shape of a cylinder with a tapered curved surface. The raised shoulder may be added and removed from the main body of the seal body. The raised shoulder may be a separate component permanently or removably attached to the main body of the seal body. The raised shoulder may form part of the seal body such that the seal body is one part. Preferably, the raised should forms part of the seal body.

There may be one recess around each hole or each set of multiple holes. There may be multiple recesses around the holes in one set of multiple holes, for example there may be one recess around two holes. Preferably, there is one recess around each set of multiple holes. The recess may be over the whole rear surface, a substantial proportion of the rear surface or part of the rear surface. The recess may be over the whole rear surface accept for a rim or skirt around the edge of the rear surface which is not recessed. The recess may take the shape of a cylinder which may have different shaped cross sections, a segment of a cone or other similar shapes. The recess may have tapered faces. Preferably, the recess is in the shape of a cylinder with a tapered curved surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

Figure 1 is a side cross sectional view of a first seal body.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the first seal body showing a front surface.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the first seal body showing a rear surface.

Figure 4 is a side cross sectional view of a second seal body.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the second seal body showing a front surface. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the second seal body showing a rear surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

Referring to figures 1 to 3, the most preferred form of the invention, a first form of the sealing body 10 (referred to just as the first sealing body 10) including a front surface 17a and a rear surface 17b, a seal 15, a single hole 18 and a set of two holes 12a and 12b. The set of two holes 12a and 12b extend through the first sealing body 10 from the front surface 17a to the rear surface 17b. The set of two holes 12a and 12b adapted to receive split wires from a spliced line forming two wires. Each wire adapted to extend through one of the holes in the set of two holes 12a and 12b. The distance between the centrelines of holes 12a and 12b is two times the diameter of the holes 12a and 12b. The diameter (0) of the holes 12a and 12b is 1.4mm and the distance between the centrelines of the holes 12a and 12b is 2.8mm.

The first sealing body 10 (including the sealing ribs 15) is made of a silicone rubber material.

The first sealing body 10 also includes three sealing ribs 15 which are located around the circumference of the first sealing body 10. The sealing ribs 15 hold the first sealing body 10 in a fuse terminal housing component (not depicted) and keep fluids and other contaminants from moving from the front surface 17a to the rear surface 17b. When the first sealing body 10 is inserted into the fuse terminal housing component the sealing ribs 15 compress holding the first sealing body 10 in place and forming a fluid seal around the circumference of the first sealing body 10. The holes 12a, 12b and 18 are undersized compared to the wires to be received by the holes. The wire diameter ranges from 1.6mm to 2.3mm. Therefore, when the wires are inserted through the holes 12a, 12b and 18 the interior wall of the holes expand creating a fluid seal on the holes as well. The first sealing body 10 therefore functions as a fluid seal for wires passing through the first sealing body 10.

The first sealing body also includes a raised shoulder 14 and a recess 16. The recess 16 is located around the set of two holes 12a and 12b. The recess 16 has a clearance of 0.5mm from the holes and is 2mm deep. The recess 16 is required in order for the wires to be crimped after they come through the set of two holes 12a and 12b. With the first sealing body 10 inserted into the current fuse terminal housing component, more space was required to accommodate a double crimp bucket terminal. Therefore, the recess 16 allows space for the double crimp bucket terminal on the rear surface 17b side of the first sealing body 10. The raised shoulder 14 is needed because the length of the set of two holes 12a and 12b needed to be the same as the length of the single hole 18 to provide seals with the same resistance to leakage. The raised shoulder 14 extends proud of the front surface 17a around the set of two holes 12a and 12b. The raised shoulder 14 surrounds the set of two holes 12a and 12b with a clearance of 1.4mm around the holes and 2mm off the front surface 17a.

Chamfers 13 a, 13b, 13 c, 13 d, 19a and 19b are on the entrance and exit to each hole 12a, 12b and 18.

Referring now to figures 4 to 6, wherein like features are referenced with like reference numerals. The second form of the sealing body 100 (referred to just as the second sealing body 100) includes the same features of the first sealing body 10, the difference being it has two sets of two holes 112a, 112b, 118a and 118b. A larger raised surface 114 surrounds both sets of two holes 112a, 112b, 118a and 118b. The recesses 116a and 116b are the same as the first sealing body 10. The second sealing body 100 allows two wires to be passed through the first set of two holes 112a and 112b and another two wires to be passed through the second set of two holes 118a and 118b. The wires passed through the first set of two holes 112a and 112b may be crimped together after passing through the second sealing body 100 and out the rear surface 117b side of the sealing body 100. The wires passed through the second set of two holes 118a and 118b may be crimped together after passing through the second sealing body 100 and out the rear surface 117b side of the sealing body 100.Throughout the specification and claims the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

In the present specification, terms such as “apparatus”, “means”, “device” and “member” may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an “apparatus”, “means”, “device” or “member” or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an “apparatus”, “assembly”, “means”, “device” or “member” is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, which will usually be apparent from the context.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the invention described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention can be described in terms of provisional claims that can assist the skilled reader in understanding the various aspects and preferments of the invention. However, these provisional claims are not to be construed as defining statements of the invention. It will be appreciated that other forms, aspects and preferred features of the invention and its embodiments described herein may ultimately be included in the claims defining the invention in the specifications of complete, international or national applications (or their subsequent corresponding patent grants) that may claim priority from the provisional application accompanying this specification. In this context, the following non-limiting claims assist to better describe the invention:

Claims

Provisional claims:

1. A fuse terminal wire seal including: a front and a rear spaced substantially parallel surfaces; a seal located in a plane generally parallel to the front or rear surface, whereby the sealing body is made to engage and be held in a socket connector; holes to insert a wire through, wherein the fuse terminal wire seal having at least one set of multiple holes, wherein: the holes extending through the whole fuse terminal wire seal are transverse to the front or rear surface; the set of multiple holes adapted to receive multiple wires, each wire adapted to extend through one of the holes of the set of multiple holes; and the distance between the centrelines of adjacent holes of the set of multiple holes being less than three times the diameter of one of the holes of the set of multiple holes.
2. A fuse terminal wire seal according to Claim 1, wherein the set of multiple holes includes: at least one raised shoulder extending proud of the front surface around the set of multiple holes; and at least one recess in the rear surface around the set of multiple holes.