Capacitor assembly

Abstract

A lower enclosure has a first recess. A first annular retainer is adapted for engaging a lower portion of a capacitor and the first recess. The first annular retainer has a plurality of tabs that extend radially outward from an outer diameter surface of the first annular retainer. Each of the tabs has a sloped surface ora peaked surface for compression of the first annular retainer against the capacitor. An upper enclosure has a plurality of second recesses. A second annular retainer is adapted for engaging an. upper portion of the capacitor and the second recesses. The second annular retainer has a plurality of protrusions that extend upward from the second annular retainer. Each of the protrusions has a slit for receiving a wedge, such that if the protrusions engage the wedge the second annular retainer is compressed against the capacitor.

Description

[0001] This document claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to US Provisional Application No. 61 / 454,847, filed March 21, 2011, and entitled "CAPACITORASSEMBLY." technical field [0002] The present invention relates to a capacitor assembly. Background technique [0003] In some prior art capacitors may be damaged from mechanical stress, vibration or thermal stress. Some prior art capacitors mounted on vehicles or off-road equipment may be particularly damaged from mechanical stress, vibration, or thermal stress; unlike capacitors mounted indoors in environmentally controlled environments. In some prior art constructions, the body of the capacitor can create a mechanical lever arm or cantilever that can place undesired mechanical stress on the capacitor's electrical or mechanical connections to the circuit board or case. connection point. Detrimental effects of mechanical stress (eg, failure of electrical or mechanical connections) may be exacerbated by vibration of the ca...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Detrimental effects of mechanical stress (e.g. failure of electrical or mechanical connections) may be exacerbated by vibration of the capacitor

Further, the capacitor's outer dielectric encapsulation (e.g., PVC jacket or shrink wrap) may degrade after many cycles of material thermal fluctuations (e.g., from ambient temperature to approximately 85 degrees Celsius) over time or expose the internal electrical portion of the capacitor, which may cause a short circuit to adjacent electronic components, metal components, heat sinks, or chassis ground

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