FUSE BOX ON A VEHICLE BATTERY AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING A FUSE BOX ON A VEHICLE BATTERY

Abstract

The current disclosure relates to a method for mounting a fuse box associated with a vehicle battery. In one example, the method can comprise providing a battery comprising a housing and a cover closing off an opening of the battery housing. The method can further comprise providing at least one fastening member can be provided for mounting the fuse box to the cover. The method can further comprise cutting thread in the cover for providing a threaded hole. The method can further comprise screwing the fastening member into the threaded hole.

Claims

1. A method for mounting a fuse box with a vehicle battery, the method comprising: providing a vehicle battery comprising a housing and a cover closing off an opening of the housing; providing a fastening member for mounting the fuse box to the cover; providing thread in the cover forming a threaded hole; and screwing the fastening member into the threaded hole to connect the fuse box and the vehicle battery.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing thread in the cover forming the threaded hole comprises cutting thread directly in the cover forming the threaded hole.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the fastening member comprises a cutting means and the cutting thread comprises performing a cutting action with the cutting means of the fastening member to the cover.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the cover comprises a blind recess, and wherein the cutting thread directly in the cover forming the threaded hole comprises cutting thread in the recess for forming the threaded hole.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: clamping a terminal on a battery pole.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: engaging the terminal and the battery pole with a loose fit; and screwing the fastening member into the threaded hole before clamping the terminal on the battery pole.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: arranging the fuse box on top of the battery wherein a projection of the fuse box is within an outline of the battery.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the blind recess comprises a pair of blind holes that facilitate coupling with a temporary battery pole cover, and wherein the method further comprises: removing the battery pole cover from the battery before connecting the fuse box to the blind holes.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein the fastening member comprises a thread cutting screw or a threaded insert, and wherein, when the fastening member comprises the threaded insert, the providing thread in the cover forming the threaded hole comprises arranging the threaded insert in the blind recess.

10. A fuse box for use in a method comprising: providing a vehicle battery comprising a housing and a cover closing off an opening of the housing; providing a fastening member for mounting the fuse box to the cover; providing thread in the cover forming a threaded hole; and screwing the fastening member into the threaded hole to connect the fuse box and the vehicle battery, the fuse box comprising: a means for coupling a fastener to the fuse box, wherein the fastener comprises a cutting means for cutting thread; and a terminal for clamping around a battery pole.

11. The fuse box according to claim 10, further comprising: a resilient fuse box section, wherein the fastener and the terminal are connected to the resilient fuse box section to facilitate adjustment of a spacing between the fastener and the terminal within an adjustment window of operation, and wherein the adjustment window of operation is determined by the resilient fuse box section.

12. An assembly comprising a battery and a fuse box, the assembly comprising: a means for coupling a fastener to the fuse box, wherein the fastener comprises a cutting means for cutting thread; and a terminal for clamping around a battery pole.

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the fuse box is connected to the battery through a threaded connection between a battery cover and the fuse box and a clamping action between a fuse box terminal and a battery pole.

14. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the fuse box is arranged on top of the battery, and wherein a projection of the fuse box is within an outline of the battery.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present disclosure will be discussed in more detail below, with reference to the attached drawings, in which;

[0024] FIG. 1 is a top view of an assembly according to the disclosure of a battery with a fuse box mounted on top thereof. The two locations for the fasteners, e.g., PF6 screws, are encircled with a red oval shaped contour;

[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a detail of the assembly of FIG. 1;

[0026] FIGS. 3A and 3B show details of a first embodiment of a method according to the disclosure for mounting a fuse box associated with a vehicle battery;

[0027] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show details of a second embodiment of a method according to the disclosure for mounting a fuse box associated with a vehicle battery; and

[0028] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of a detail of a fuse box of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a top view of an assembly 1 according to the disclosure of a battery 3 with a fuse box 2 mounted on top of the battery 3. The fuse box 2 connects to a battery pole 11. The fuse box 2 comprises a terminal 10 and the fuse box 2 connects to the battery pole 11 through the terminal 10. The terminal 10 clamps around the pole 11. The fuse box 2 comprises a connector means 8 to connect the fuse box to the electrical system of the vehicle. The connector means 8 connects to the terminal 10 through a fuse system 20. In this case, the battery 3 is a H type 12 V battery. The shown battery conforms to the European Standard EN 50342-2:2007. This European Standard is applicable to lead-acid batteries used for starting, lighting and ignition of passenger automobiles and light commercial vehicles with a nominal voltage of 12 V. The battery 3 comprises a housing 18 and a cover 13. The cover 13 closes off a top opening of the battery housing 18. Here, a projection of the fuse box 2 is within an outline of the battery 3. This arrangement of the fuse box 2 on top of the battery 3 does not require any free space around the battery during mounting of the fuse box 2 on top of the battery 3. Two cut outs 9 are provided in a bottom plate member 17 of the fuse box 2. The cut outs 9 are configured for receiving respective fasteners 6 and function as means for coupling the fastener 6 to the fuse box 2. The interior of the fuse box 2 is normally closed off by a fuse box cover that is not shown here.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional side view of a detail of the assembly 1 of FIG. 1. The cover comprises a blind recess 4. Here, the blind recess 4 comprises two blind holes 5a, 5b. This pair of blind holes 5a, 5b are normally used to connect a temporary battery pole cover (not shown) to. Before mounting the fuse box 2 to the battery cover 13 the battery pole cover is removed from the battery 3. The fasteners 6 extend through the cut outs 9 and are in threaded connection with the battery cover 13. In addition, and best shown in FIG. 1, the fuse box 2 comprises a clamping terminal 10 for clamping on a battery pole 11.

[0031] FIGS. 3a and 3b show details of a first embodiment of a method according to the disclosure for mounting a fuse box associated with a vehicle battery.

[0032] Firstly, one fastening member 6 for mounting the fuse box 2 to the cover 13 is provided and shown in FIG. 3a above the blind recess 4 in the cover 13. Then, thread 7 is provided in the cover 13, here in the recess 4 of the cover 13, for providing a threaded hole 19 in the cover 13. In this case the thread is cut directly in the cover 13 for providing the threaded hole 19. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 3b, the fastening member 6 is screwed into the threaded hole 19 for providing a threaded connection between the fuse box 2 and the vehicle battery 3.

[0033] As an option, the fastening member 6 comprises cutting means 14 and the step of providing thread 7 in the cover 13 comprises performing a cutting action with the cutting means 14 of the fastening member 6. An example of a fastening member 6 comprising a thread cutting section 14, is a type PF6 screw.

[0034] FIGS. 4a, 4b and 4c show details of a second embodiment of a method according to the disclosure for mounting a fuse box 2 associated with a vehicle battery 3. In this case, the fastening member comprising a threaded insert 15. The insert is provided with an inner thread 16. The providing thread in the cover 13 comprises arranging the threaded insert 15 in the blind recess 4 for providing the threaded hole 19 in the cover 13. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 4c, the fastening member 6 is screwed into the threaded hole 19 for providing a threaded connection between the fuse box 2 and the vehicle battery 3.

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a schematic top view of a detail of a fuse box 2 of the disclosure. The terminal 10 initially engages the battery pole 11 with a loose fit. Then, the fastener 6 is screwed into the threaded hole 19 of the cover 13. Thereafter, the terminal 10 is clamped on the battery pole 11. The fuse box 2 comprises a resilient fuse box section 12. The fastener 6 and the terminal 10 are connected to the resilient fuse box section 12 to allow adjustment of a spacing s between the fastener 6 and the terminal 10 within an adjustment window of operation. The adjustment window of operation is determined by the resilient fuse box section 12.