MXPA96006393A

MXPA96006393A - Electric connection pin

Info

Publication number: MXPA96006393A
Application number: MXPA/A/1996/006393A
Authority: MX
Inventors: J Voorhis Roger; J Duell Richard
Original assignee: Carrier Corporation
Priority date: 1995-12-15
Filing date: 1996-12-13
Publication date: 1997-06-01

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved electrical connection plug of the type having a body with a plurality of cavities axially aligned to receive therein, respective terminal posts extending axially from a terminal assembly of a compressor, having a thermal detector in direct contact with its housing, wherein the improvement is characterized in that it comprises: a flexible skirt integrally joined to and extending axially from the body and is dimensioned and configured in such a way that when the connector is installed on the terminal posts, the skirt flexible engages tightly on the terminal assembly to provide a sealing relationship between them, and the body includes an ear that extends laterally from one side thereof, the ear is dimensioned and configured in such a way as to forcefully fit over the detector to cover and hold it in place against the compress housing

Description

HT.AVT.TA GIK mwRXTnw EarthTH This invention relates generally to electrical connectors. More particularly, the invention relates to a plug for connecting electrical terminals to terminal posts in a hermetic compressor for use in an air conditioning or cooling system. A large percentage of hermetic air conditioning and refrigeration compressors in use or that are currently manufactured have a terminal assembly for conducting electrical power through the compressor housing. FIGURE 1 shows a typical terminal assembly 40, having a body member 41 with a shoulder 43. At least two, and usually three axially aligned terminal posts 42 pass through the body member 41, with each post 42 having a inner end 421 and an outer end 420. FIGURE 2 shows an end assembly 40 mounted on the upper portion of the housing 51 of the compressor 50. The body member 41 extends through the cover 51 and is joined by welding and this shape is secured to the housing 51, with the shoulder 43 extending a short distance beyond the outer surface of the housing 51. Electrical terminals 62 from the compressor motor (not shown) connect the inner ends 421 by the plug 61. The electrical power is supplied to the compressor by a plug and terminals (not shown) connected to the outer ends of the pole 420. The power terminals can be connected individually to the Post terminals, or terminals may terminate in a common connector plug that connects to the poles. FIGURES 3 and 4 illustrate this connector 80 in which each electrical terminal 83 terminates in its own axially aligned connector cavity 82 with in the body of the connector 81. As will be seen in FIGURE 4, the connector 80 does not completely cover the terminal posts 42. when it is installed. Again with reference to FIGURE 2, some but not all of the compressors have a thermal detector 71 mounted on the upper part of the housing 51, in proximity to the terminal assembly 41. The detector 70 checks the temperature of the housing 51 for protection purposes. of over charge. An abnormally high carcase temperature will invite an overload condition in the compressor. If the temperature of the housing reaches this predetermined value, a signal from the detector 71 initiates an interruption of the system to protect the compressor. The rod 52 is attached to and extends from the housing 51 and cover 54 engages on the terminal assembly 41 and detector 71 with the nut 53 that holds the cover in place. The cover 54 engages a portion of the thermal detector 71 to hold it in place, and also prevents the insertion of foreign objects such as tools, between the connector 80 and the terminal assembly 43. Foreign objects can cause an electrical short between the terminal posts 42. The cover 54 also prevents moisture from reaching the terminal posts 42. If the external power terminals do not end in a common connection plug, it is easily possible to connect the terminals incorrectly. Even if there were a common connection plug such as the connector 80 (FIGURES 3 and 4) it is due to the configuration of orientation of the terminal posts to each other, it is possible to install the plug incorrectly and therefore connect a terminal with an incorrect post. If the terminals are installed incorrectly, improper operation or damage to the compressor may result. In order to simplify the assembly, reduce the number of parts and therefore reduce the costs, it would be convenient to remove the cover 54 (FIGURE 1). What is required is an improved device that reduces the possibility of improperly connecting external electrical power terminals to the terminal assembly of a hermetic compressor, protecting the terminal posts from exposure to incident moisture and short circuit and eliminating the need for a connector cover separated. If there is a thermal detector, the device should also be able to keep it in place. The device must be adaptable for use with a compressor without modification to the compressor itself. The present invention is an electrical connection plug which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art apparatus for connecting external electrical terminals such as a hermetic compressor, for securing a thermal detector with the compressor housing and for protecting electrical connections against damage. The present invention has a flexible skirt that surrounds its electrical cavities. When the plug is connected and placed in place in a terminal assembly, the skirt fits snugly over the shoulder of the terminal body, so that the incident moisture can not contact the terminal posts and also in such a way that a foreign object can not Easily inserted between the terminal assembly and the plug. An ear extends from the side wall of the pin and has a vertical opening or other coupling assembly therein formed. The ear and the coupling assemblies are dimensioned and configured in such a way that the ear opening can couple and the rod extending from the compressor housing and at the same time with the electrical connector cavities in the plug engages the terminal posts . It is possible to install the plug of the present invention incorrectly, but the incorrect installation will be easily apparent. A nut can be threaded onto the rod to prevent the plug from disconnecting from the terminal assembly due to vibration or the like. The accompanying drawings are separate from the specification. Through the drawings, similar reference numbers are identified from similar elements.

FIGURE 1 is an isometric view of a terminal assembly. FIGURE 2 is a partial sectional view of a hermetic compressor. FIGURE 3 is a bottom view of an electrical connector plug of the prior art. FIGURE 4 is a side view thereof installed in a terminal assembly. FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the connector pin of the present invention. FIGURE 6 is a side view thereof, partially exploded. FIGURE 7 is a partially exploded top view of another embodiment of the connector plug of the present invention installed in a terminal assembly. FIGURE 8 is a side view thereof, partially exploded. FIGURES 5 and 6 show essential characteristics of the plug of the present invention, the connector pin 10 comprises a body 11, an inner face 12, side wall 13 and enhancement 14. A skirt 15 integrally connects to the embossment 14 and an ear 16 it is integrally connected to the body 11 as illustrated. A slot engaging a rod 17 is formed in the ear 16 to receive the rod 52. The lug 14 extends from the inner face 12 and contains connector cavities 82, which are electrically connected to electrical terminals 83 in a conventional manner not shown. The skirt 15 extends axially from the embossment 14 and surrounds the connector cavities 82. The skirt 15 is flexible if sized and configured in such a way that when the plug 10 is connected to the terminal assembly 40 (FIGURES 1 and 2) the skirt 15 Forced fit over the shoulder 43. When placed in this manner, the skirt 15 protects the end posts 42 against incidence of incidental moisture and the insertion of foreign objects. The ear 16 extends laterally and integrally of the side wall 13. The spacing and relative positioning of the three terminal posts 42 are such that the plug 10 can be connected to the terminal assembly 40 with any of the connector cavities 82 that engage any of the three terminal posts. However, there is only one correct way to connect the plug to the terminal assembly. The orientation and dimensioning of the ear 16 as well as that of the engaging groove 17, are such that when the pin 10 is correctly connected to the terminal assembly 40, (FIGURES 1 and 2) the rod 52 extends through the engaging groove 17. It is possible to connect pin 10 to terminal assembly 40 in an incorrect orientation. In this case, however, the rod 52 should not extend through the coupling slot 17 and the incorrect connection of the plug to the assembly will be easily recognized by the installer. FIGURES 5 and 6 illustrate a plug-in embodiment of the present invention, which is adapted to be used as a compressor that does not have a thermal overload detector. FIGURES 7 and 8 illustrate a modality that is suitable for use with a compressor having that detector, the connector plug 20 has all the features of connection plug 10 illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6. The ear 26 of the connector plug 20 , however, it is enlarged in such a way that the thermal overload detector 71 can be received in a cavity in the ear 26 in such a way that the detector 71 is held in place by the ear. The detector 71 is electrically connected to one of three electrical terminals 83 and one of the terminal posts of the compressor in a conventional manner not illustrated. With the connector 20 correctly installed in the terminal assembly 40, the detector 71 is maintained in good thermal contact with the compressor housing 51.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Improved electrical connection plug of the type having a body with a plurality of cavities aligned axially to receive respective terminal posts extending axially from a terminal assembly of a compressor, wherein the improvement is characterized by: a flexible skirt which extends axially from the body and is dimensioned and configured such that when the connector is installed on the end posts, the flexible skirt engages tightly on the terminal assembly to provide a sealing relationship therebetween.
2. Improved connecting plug as described in claim 1, wherein the compressor includes an axially extending rod and further wherein the connecting plug body includes an ear that extends laterally from one side, the ear has assemblies for coupling the rod, the coupling assemblies are positioned in such a way with respect to the connecting cavities, that the coupling of the coupling assemblies with the rod provide assurance of correct relative coupling of the connecting cavities with the respective terminal posts.
3. Improved connection plug as described in claim 1, wherein the compressor includes an axially extending detector and the ear is dimensioned and configured in such a way that it fits tightly on the detector to cover and hold it in place.
4.- Connection plug to make electrical connection with a terminal assembly, the terminal assembly has at least two terminal posts and an associated rod that extends generally parallel to the terminal posts, characterized by: a body having a raised projection from there; cavities of electrical connectors one per terminal post, formed in the enhancement and formed and spaced to receive the terminal posts therefrom; a skirt extending from the embossment and dimensioning and configuring to fit tightly on the terminal assembly, when the plug is in its closed position; and an ear extending from the side wall, the ear has assemblies for coupling the rod, the coupling assemblies are arranged with respect to the connector cavities in such a way that the coupling of the coupling assemblies with the rod provides coupling safety correct plug connector with the terminal.
5. Improved connection plug as described in claim 4, wherein the ear includes a cavity for receiving a thermal overload detector, such that the ear covers the detector and keeps it in its installed position. RESUFFNG P35 IA IMYBNCTON A connection plug (10, 20) for making electrical connection to the terminal assembly (40) of a hermetic compressor for a cooling or air conditioning system, the plug has a flexible skirt (15) extending axially downwards to fit tightly over the shoulder (43) and the body (41) of the terminal assembly, when connected. An ear (16, 26) extends from the side wall (13) of the pin and has a coupling slot (17) which is dimensioned and configured, such that the coupling slot engages a rod (52) which is extends from the compressor housing (51), in the vicinity of terminal assembly when the plug is properly installed in the terminal assembly. The ear may also include a cavity for receiving a thermal overload detector (71) which may be associated with the compressors.