IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,609,254
Granted Patent B2
US 12,609,254 · App. 18/112,032 · Granted Apr 21, 2026

Battery master disconnect switch with integrated voltage indicator

Inventors: David P. DeHorn (Glenview, IL); Sean McDonnell (Plainville, CT); Brian Stuckman (Plainville, CT)
Assignee: Littelfuse, Inc.
H01H19/14H01M10/425H01M10/488
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,609,254
App. No.
18/112,032
Granted
Apr 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A battery master disconnect switch includes a front panel and a back panel. The front panel has a selector knob for selecting between multiple positions. The back panel has a primary terminal, a secondary terminal, and an auxiliary terminal. The primary terminal is for connection, using a first cable, to a primary battery. The secondary terminal is for connection, using a second cable, to a secondary battery. The auxiliary terminal is for enabling a device. The device receives power for any of the positions of the selector knob. The battery master disconnect switch can present a voltage for the primary, the secondary, or both the primary and secondary batteries.

Claims (48)

1 . A battery master disconnect switch comprising:

a back panel comprising:

a primary terminal adapted to connect to a primary battery; and

a secondary terminal adapted to connect to a secondary battery;

a front panel including:

a selector knob selecting between a plurality of positions, including:

a first position for activating the primary battery; and

a second position for activating the secondary battery;

a battery voltage indicator which visually displays a voltage based on a voltage measurement of the primary battery;

a second battery voltage indicator, wherein the battery voltage indicator visually displays the voltage based on the voltage measurement of the primary battery and the second battery voltage indicator displays a second voltage based on a second voltage measurement of the secondary battery;

wherein the selector knob is further selectable in a third position for connecting the battery voltage indicator to the primary battery and to the secondary battery;

wherein the battery voltage indicator visually displays the voltage, and the second battery voltage indicator visually displays the second voltage, in response to the selector knob being in the third position.

2 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 1 , wherein the battery voltage indicator visually displays a second voltage based on a second voltage measurement of the secondary battery.

3 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 1 , further comprising an auxiliary terminal to enable a device, wherein the device receives power for any of the plurality of positions of the selector knob.

4 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 1 , wherein the battery voltage indicator comprises a light emitting diode (LED) which visually displays the voltage numerically.

5 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 1 , wherein the battery voltage indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which visually displays the voltage based on a number of the plurality of LEDs being lit.

6 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 1 , wherein the battery voltage indicator:

visually displays the voltage in a predetermined time based on the voltage measurement of the primary battery; and

visually displays a second voltage once the predetermined time has expired based on a second voltage measurement of the secondary battery.

7 . A battery master disconnect switch comprising:

a front panel including a selector knob to select between a plurality of positions;

a back panel including:

a primary terminal to connect, by way of a first cable, to a primary battery;

a secondary terminal to connect, by way of a second cable, to a secondary battery; and

an auxiliary terminal to enable a device, wherein the device receives power for any of the plurality of positions of the selector knob;

a primary battery conductor plate;

a first conductor plate; and

a conducting selector plate;

wherein the primary battery is enabled in response to the conducting selector plate being coupled between the primary battery conductor plate and the first conductor plate.

8 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 7 , further comprising a battery voltage indicator which provides a voltage based on a voltage measurement of the primary battery.

9 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 7 , the back panel further comprising a third terminal to connect, by way of a third cable, to a charging device.

10 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of auxiliary conductor plates, wherein the first conductor plate is in contact with one or more of the plurality of auxiliary conductor plates in the plurality of positions of the selector knob.

11 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 10 , further comprising a secondary battery conductor plate, wherein the secondary battery is enabled in response to the conducting selector plate being coupled between the secondary battery conductor plate and the first conductor plate.

12 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 9 , wherein, in response to the selector knob being in a first position of the plurality of positions:

a first electrical connection is made between the primary terminal and the third terminal;

the primary battery is turned on; and

the device is operable.

13 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 12 , wherein, in response to the selector knob being in a second position of the plurality of positions: a second electrical connection is made between the secondary terminal and the third terminal; the secondary battery is turned on; and the device is operable.

14 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 13 , wherein, in response to the selector knob being in a third position of the plurality of positions:

the first electrical connection is made;

the second electrical connection is made;

the primary battery is turned on;

the secondary battery is turned on; and

the device is operable.

15 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 13 , wherein, in response to the selector knob being in a fourth position of the plurality of positions:

the primary battery is disabled; and

the device is operable.

16 . The battery master disconnect switch of claim 7 , wherein the device is a bilge pump.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 13, 2024
From: DEHORN, DAVID P.; MCDONNELL, SEAN; STUCKMAN, BRIAN
To: LITTELFUSE, INC.
Reel/Frame 069575/0736 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 63313485 · Feb 24, 2022
Provisional Application 63314708 · Feb 28, 2022
Related Publication 20230268147A1 · Aug 24, 2023
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