EP1716366A1

EP1716366A1 - A connector

Info

Publication number: EP1716366A1
Application number: EP04711532A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hamdi Erem; Nazim Sasmaz; Timur Erdogan; Murat Kumru
Original assignee: Erta Elektromekanik Imalat San Ve Tic Ltd Sti
Current assignee: Erta Elektromekanik Imalat San Ve Tic Ltd Sti
Priority date: 2004-02-16
Filing date: 2004-02-16
Publication date: 2006-11-02
Also published as: WO2005078347A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermocouple side (2) of a connector (1), which lies between a thermocouple and a magnetic group. The connector basically involves a two-part insulating body (6) and an earth conductor terminal (16) placed in between these two parts. Said terminal also involves snap-fit locking feature thanks to its bent arms.

Description

A CONNECTOR Technical Field The present invention relates to a connector, especially its thermocouple side, which lies between a thermocouple and a magnetic group controlling gas flow.

Background of the Invention In principle, a thermocouple is a device comprising two different metals permanently joined at one ends in order to produce a potential difference between the other ends, as a function of the temperature of its junction (Seebeck effect). In the present state of art, this feature is widely employed in many fields as well as cookers, ovens, water heaters and geysers with burners. In these appliances, thermocouples control the flow of the gas and ensure closure safety when the flame disappears accidentally or deliberately.

Thermocouple junction is either in contact with or in the close vicinity of the burner whereas the other end is connected to a magnetic group. Said magnetic group involves means for controlling gas flow to the burner, which are operated by the potential difference occurring at the end of the thermocouple. Means for gas flow control may, for instance, be any electromagnetic unit and a solenoid valve.

While the burner is in flame, the contact between the junction and the high temperature flame forms a potential difference at the other end of the thermocouple. This potential difference is transported to the magnetic group, which in turn keeps the valve open and the gas flowing. However, once the flame disappears by any reason, the thermocouple cools down resulting in a diminishing of the potential difference. Then, the electromagnetic unit within the magnetic group shuts off the valve and stops the gas flow. Prior art document EP619460, discloses a coupling that electrically connects the thermocouple to the magnetic group. It allows for quick axial push- fit connection of the phase and earth conductors of the thermocouple to the valve body via a terminal. However, this coupling does not comprise a feature for the locking of the terminal to the electromagnetic unit.

Another document in the prior art, namely WO03085324, offers a solution for the locking of the terminal to the valve unit. According to this invention, the terminal comprises two different parts, namely phase and earth connection parts, and therefore a two-step procedure must be followed for mounting of each part to the magnetic unit. Nevertheless, this is quite a cumbersome and tedious job, which drastically reduces the efficiency of mass production.

The connection between the thermocouple terminal and the magnetic unit must be quick, convenient and reliable. The assembled parts, female and male terminals, should not unsettle due to mechanical (shocks, vibration, etc.) or thermal (expansion phenomena) effects.

Brief disclosure of the invention The object of the present invention is to attain a connector, which firmly and quickly fits into the magnetic unit.

Another object of the present invention is, at the same time, providing easy production and mounting.

The connector realized to achieve above mentioned objectives basically involves a two-part insulating body and an earth conductor terminal placed in between these two parts. Said terminal also involves snap-fit locking feature thanks to its bent arms. Detailed disclosure of the invention

The preferred embodiment of the invention is explained in detail below by reference to the annexed drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded axial section of the connector.

Figure 2 is an axial section of the assembled comiector.

Figure 3 a is a view of the interior head piece in the direction of arrow L>

Figure 3b is a side view of the interior head piece.

Figure 3c is a back view of the interior head piece in the direction of arrow i. Figure 4 is an axial section of the exterior head piece.

Figure 5a is a front view of the clip in unbended form.

Figure 5b is an axial view of the clip in bended form.

Figure 5 c is a top view of the clip in bended form.

Figure 6 is a side view of the connector in assembled form. Figure 7 is an axial section of an alternative embodiment of the interior head piece.

Figure 8 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the phase comiector.

Figure 9a-9c are axial sections of an alternative embodiment of the connector, at different stages of fitting.

Various parts in the drawings have been enumerated as follows: 1 Connector 2 Thermocouple side 3 Magnetic group side 4 Phase conductor 5 Earth conductor 6 Head 7 Exterior head piece Channel Interior head piece 10. Flange 11. Groove 12. Projection 13. Female terminal 14. Male terminal 15. Collar . 16. Earth terminal 17. Arm 18. Slit 19. Ring 20. Tail 21. Step 22. Nail 23. Flap 24. Window

With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the connector (1) in accordance with the present invention comprises two main parts: A thermocouple side (2) establishing the connection with the phase and earth conductors (4 and 5) of the thermocouple (not shown) and a magnetic group side (3) providing electrical and mechanical connection to the electromagnetic unit (not shown) which in turn controls the gas valve (not shown) of the relevant appliance. The magnetic group side (3) of the comiector comprises a hollow, cylindrical, metallic collar (15) and a male terminal (14) extending coaxially inside said collar. The thermocouple side (2), of the connection comprises a female terminal

(13) electrically connected to the phase conductor (4) of the thermocouple for engagement with the male terminal (14) and a conductive earth terminal (16) in electrical connection with the earth conductor (5) of the thermocouple to mate with the collar (15). The female terminal (13) is coaxially housed inside a hollow, cylindrical head (6) made of an insulating material, preferably plastics. This head (6) comprises two separate pieces, namely an exterior (7) and an interior (9) one, the latter placing partly into the interior of the former and partly into the interior of the collar (15). The earth terminal (16) is placed firmly in between the interior and exterior pieces (9 and 7) of the head (6) and thereby electrically insulated from the female teπninal (13).

Figure 3b displays a side view of the interior piece (9) of the head (6). This piece (9) is mainly in the shape of a hollow cylinder having a central axis X. It is divided into two consecutive parts (9a and 9b) via an annular flange (10), extending perpendicularly to X-axis. The diameter of the flange (10) is larger than the interior diameters of both the exterior piece (7) and the collar (15), hence it does not fit into any of the two.

The first part (9a), which is also seen in Figure 3 a, fits into the interior part of the exterior piece (7). This part (9a) involves at least two slits (18) parallel to X-axis, in order to fit resiliently into the exterior piece (7). In another embodiment of the invention, there are also projections (12) extending from the free end of this part (9a) in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis. These projections (12) rest on a surface of the exterior piece (7) that is perpendicular to the X-axis, ensuring these two pieces (7 and 9) are restrained relative to each other along said axis (X).

The second part of the interior piece (9b) is illustrated in Figure 3 c. This piece (9b) has dimensions (outer diameter and height) suitable to fit into the collar (15). On the outer wall of this piece (9b), there are at least two grooves (11) extending parallel to X-axis. These grooves (11) preferably start from the flange (10) and reach the free end of this part (9b).

The section view of exterior head piece (7) can be seen in Figure 4. The height of this piece (7) is preferably more than that of the first part of the interior piece (9a), so that it resides fully inside the exterior piece (7). In the interior surface of the exterior piece (7) there is an annular channel (8) for the projection(s) (12) of the interior piece (9) to rest on. As seen in Figure 5 a, the earth teraiinal (16) is made of a resiliently deformable, conductive sheet material. It is in the form of a ring (19) perpendicular to the X-axis and having two stripe-shaped arms (17) extending in planes almost perpendicular to the plane of said ring (19) (Figure 5b) towards the collar (15). The inner diameter of the ring (19) is at least equal to that of the inner piece (9) whereas the outer diameter is preferably equal to that of the flange (10).

These arms (17) provide the electrical connection between the earth conductor (5) and the collar (15). To ensure directional stability and compactness, they lie within the grooves (11) on the outer walls of the inner piece (9b).

The earth conductor (4) may be directly connected to the ring (19), however in the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is connected to a stripe-shaped tail (20) extending towards the thermocouple direction.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, apart from establishing electrical continuity, the arms (17) also function so as to provide snap-fit, secure connection of the thermocouple side (2) to the magnetic group side (3). To attain this function, the arms (17) are bent to have at least one portion (17a) having a triangle-like profile such that the height of the triangle is more than the depth of the channel (11) and that the vertex of the triangle leans against the interior surface of the collar (15) when the two sides (2 and 3) of the connector (1) are assembled together. Thanks to the resilience property of the terminal (16), this portion (17a) elastically deforms when being fit into the collar (15) and a permanent contact is established between the terminal and the collar. Therefore, the arms both ensure the locking of the two sides (2 and 3) of the connector (1) and also a stable, continuous electrical connection, by way of applying transverse pressure to the interior of the collar (15). The two sides of the comiector can be connected to and separated from each other a multiplicity of times, thanks to easy, snap-fit connection. Once the connection is established, separation can be performed any time by applying an axial force of a magnitude high enough to overcome the transverse pressure between the earth element and the collar.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (Fig. 7-9c), the interior head piece (2) and the female terminal (13) are designed for an improved engagement with each other. For this purpose, the interior head piece is equipped with one or more steps (21) extending from the its interior wall towards the X-axis, preferably perpendicularly. This step (21a) may be placed in the foremost end of the interior head piece, it has dimensions so as to limit the motion of the female terminal (13) inside the interior head piece in the direction of arrow A. Or, this step (21b) may be placed inside the interior head piece (9), at a point corresponding to the nail(s) (22) on the outer wall of the female terminal, so that the nail(s) (22) rest on said step(s) (21) again preventing unwanted motion in the direction of arrow A. These nail(s) are readily found on female terminals that are being sold in the market.

Most female terminals sold in the market have flaps (23) provided on their outer wall. In order to make use of these flaps (23), the interior head piece is equipped with at least one window (24) for said flaps to extend into. Flaps (23) are basically stripes extracted off the outer surface of the terminal (13), extending along a line that makes an, preferably acute, angle with the terminal (13) surface. The said line extends in a direction from the magnetic group side towards the thermocouple side. One end of said stripe is connected to the surface of the teraiinal (17) whereas the other end is free. Flaps (23) are resilient, so that they smoothly engage with the windows (24). If the female terminal (13) is pulled in the direction of arrow B, said flaps (23) rest in said windows, and prevent any unwanted distraction. Said improvements, i.e steps and windows may co-exist as well.

During assembly (Figure 6, Figures 9a-9c), first the ring (19) of the earth terminal (16) is placed on the interior piece (7). Then, the exterior piece (9) is pushed onto the interior piece (9) in the direction of arrow A, leaving the earth teraiinal in between, and until the projections (12) sit into the channel (8). Thereby the head is assembled. Next, the female terminal (13) which is connected to the phase conductor (4) is placed inside the head (6). The earth conductor (5) is connected to the tail of the earth terminal (16), preferably by spot welding. When the two sides (2 and 3) are assembled together, male terminal engages the female terminal and the earth teπninal mates with the metallic collar.

As have been explained in detail above, the connector of the present invention provides easy assembly during production, and quick, one-step and reliable fitting of the two sides of the connector.

The present invention is mainly as explained in the claims; above description and annexed drawings are merely provided by way of example.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. The thermocouple side (2) of a connector (1) employed for gas flow control in gas appliances; comprising a female terminal (13) electrically connected to the phase ^' conductor (4) of the thermocouple for engagement with the male terminal (14) an earth teπninal (16) in electrical connection with the earth conductor (5) of the thermocouple to mate with the collar (15) - a hollow, cylindrical head (6) made of an insulating material, housing coaxially said female teraiinal (13) and earth teraiinal (16); and characterized in that said head (6) comprises two separate pieces, namely an exterior (7) and an interior (9) one, the latter placing partly into the interior of the former and partly into the interior of the collar (15) such that the earth teraiinal (16) is placed firmly in between the interior and exterior pieces (9 and 7) of the head (6) being electrically insulated from the female terminal (13).

2. The thermocouple side (2) of the comiector (1) of Claim 1, characterized in that the interior piece (9) of the head (6) is in the shape of a hollow cylinder having a central axis X, that is divided into two consecutive parts (9a and 9b) via an annular flange (10), extending perpendicularly to X- axis, and the diameter of the flange (10) is larger than the interior diameters of both the exterior piece (7) and the collar (15), hence it does not fit into any of the two.

3. The tlieπnocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of Claim 2, characterized in that the first part (9a) involves at least two slits (18) parallel to X-axis, in order to fit resiliently into the exterior piece (7).

4. The thermocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of Claim 3, characterized in that it comprises projections (12) extending from the free end of this part (9a) in a direction perpendicular to the X-axis.

5. The thermocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of any of Claims 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the second part of the interior piece (9b) has dimensions (outer diameter and height) suitable to fit into the collar (15) and comprises at least two grooves (11) on its outer wall, extending parallel to X-axis.

6. The themiocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of any of Claims 2 through 5, characterized in that the height of the head piece (7) is preferably more than that of the first part of the interior piece (9a), so that it resides fully inside the exterior piece (7) and comprises an annular channel (8) in the interior surface of the exterior piece (7) for the projection(s) (12) of the interior piece (9) to rest on.

7. The themiocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of any of Claims above, characterized in that the earth teraiinal (16) is in the forai of a ring (19) perpendicular to the X-axis and having two stripe-shaped arms (17) extending in planes almost perpendicular to the plane of said ring (19) towards the collar (15), and the inner diameter of the ring (19) is at least equal to that of the inner piece (9) whereas the outer diameter is equal to that of the flange (10).

8. The themiocouple side (2) of the comiector (1) of Claim 7, characterized in that the earth teπninal (16) is made of a resiliently deformable, conductive sheet material.

9. The thermocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the amis (17) of the earth terminal (16) lie within the grooves (11) on the outer walls of the inner piece (9b).

10. The themiocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of Claims 7 tlirough 9, characterized in that the earth teπninal (16) it comprises a stripe-shaped tail (20) extending from the ring (17) towards the thermocouple direction.

11. The thermocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of Claims 7 through 9, characterized in that the arms (17) are bent to have at least one portion (17a) having a triangle-like profile such that the height of the triangle is more than the depth of the channel (11) and that the vertex of the triangle leans against the interior surface of the collar (15) when the two sides (2 and 3) of the connector (1) are assembled together.

12. The thermocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of any of the Claims above, characterized in that the interior head piece (2) is equipped with one or more steps (21) extending from the its interior wall towards the X-axis, preferably perpendicularly.

13. The themiocouple side (2) of the connector (1) of Claim 12, characterized in that the said step(s) (21) are placed such that they engage with the nail(s) (22) on the female terminal (14).

14. The themiocouple side (2) of the comiector (1) of any of the Claims above, characterized in that the interior head piece (2) is equipped with windows (24) for flaps (23) on the outer wall of the female teraiinal to extend into.