Overload protection structure, terminal and compressor using same

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of compressors, and discloses an overload protection structure, a terminal and a compressor using the same. The overload protection structure includes: an insulating shell, on which a current input terminal and a current output terminal are formed; and a thermal conductor arranged in the insulating shell and connected to one of the current input terminal and the current output terminal. The thermal conductor is constructed so that when the load current or temperature of the thermal conductor is within a preset range, the current input terminal and the current output terminal can be electrically connected, and when the load current or temperature of the thermal conductor exceeds the preset range, the thermal conductor can be deformed to disconnect the current input terminal and the current output terminal. The overload protection structure of the present invention can effectively prevent the compressor from burning out when the overload protector or controller fails.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of compressors, and in particular relates to an overload protection structure, a terminal applying the same, and a compressor. Background Art

[0002] Compressors (usually including fixed-frequency compressors and variable-frequency compressors) are used to compress and drive refrigerant in the air-conditioning refrigerant circuit to achieve its function of regulating the temperature. Overload is one of the common faults of existing compressors. When the load of the compressor causes the temperature to rise to a certain level due to the current exceeding the limit it can withstand or the poor heat dissipation environment around it, fixed-frequency compressors are mainly protected by overload protectors, while variable-frequency compressors are mainly protected by controllers to avoid compressor burn-in. However, for the overload protection of compressors in the existing technology, once the overload protector or controller fails, it will directly cause the compressor to burn out, resulting in serious economic losses.

[0003] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, those skilled in the art are in urgent need of seeking an overload protection structure that can effectively prevent the compressor from burning out when an overload protector or a controller fails. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to effectively prevent the compressor from burning out when an overload protector or a controller fails, the present invention aims to provide an overload protection structure.

[0005] The present invention provides an overload protection structure comprising: an insulating housing having a current input terminal and a current output terminal formed thereon; and a thermally sensitive conductor disposed within the insulating housing and connected to one of the current input terminal and the current output terminal. The thermally sensitive conductor is configured to electrically connect the current input terminal and the current output terminal when the load current or temperature of the thermally sensitive conductor is within a preset range, and to deform to disconnect the current input terminal and the current output terminal when the load current or temperature of the thermally sensitive conductor exceeds the preset range.

[0006] The present invention also provides an overload protection structure comprising: an insulating housing having a current input terminal and a current output terminal formed thereon; and two thermally sensitive conductors disposed within the insulating housing and connected to the current input terminal and the current output terminal, respectively. When the load current or temperature of both thermally sensitive conductors is within a preset range, the two thermally sensitive conductors are electrically connected to connect the current input terminal and the current output terminal. When the load current or temperature of at least one thermally sensitive conductor exceeds the preset range, at least one thermally sensitive conductor is capable of deforming away from the other thermally sensitive conductor to disconnect the current input terminal and the current output terminal.

[0007] Furthermore, the thermal conductor is made of an oxide formed by two or more metal materials selected from the group consisting of manganese, copper, silicon, iron and nickel; or the thermal conductor is made of one material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, tin selenide and tantalum nitride.

[0008] Furthermore, the insulating shell is made of amorphous material.

[0009] The present invention also proposes a terminal, comprising a terminal housing having an opening on the bottom surface and at least one plug-in terminal passing through the terminal housing and fixedly connected to its top surface, the plug-in terminal comprising the above-mentioned overload protection structure, a first terminal connected to the power input end of the overload protection structure for electrically connecting to the power lead wire, and a second terminal connected to the power output end of the overload protection structure for electrically connecting to the motor lead wire of the compressor, the first terminal being fixedly connected to the top surface of the terminal housing, and the second terminal extending out of the opening of the terminal housing.

[0010] Furthermore, the terminal post includes three plug-in terminals that penetrate the terminal post housing and are fixedly connected to the top surface thereof, and the three plug-in terminals are parallel to each other and not coplanar.

[0011] The present invention also provides a compressor comprising a socket for electrically connecting to a motor lead of the compressor, and the aforementioned terminal plug-in mating with the socket, wherein the terminal housing is sleeved on the outer surface of the socket, and the plug-in terminal can be inserted into the interior of the socket and connected to the motor lead.

[0012] Furthermore, the socket includes a socket housing and an insulating component located inside the socket housing, and an opening facing the insulating component is provided on the insulating housing of the overload protection structure, wherein the insulating component is constructed to be non-magnetic at the operating temperature of the compressor, and to generate magnetism when the temperature is higher than the operating temperature of the compressor, so that the thermally sensitive conductor can accelerate the disconnection of the socket and the terminal through the magnetism of the insulating component.

[0013] Furthermore, the material of the insulating component is selected from one of rubber magnet, iron-noble-cobalt, aluminum-nickel-cobalt, and ferrite.

[0014] Furthermore, the compressor also includes a lead wire assembly for electrically connecting the first terminal and the external power supply, the lead wire assembly includes the above-mentioned overload protection structure, a first connecting wire connecting the first terminal and the current output end of the overload protection structure, and a second connecting wire for connecting the external power supply and the current input end of the overload protection structure.

[0015] The overload protection structure of the present invention has the following advantages:

[0016] 1) The overload protection structure of the present invention has a simple structure, and the circuit to which it is applied can be connected and disconnected only by the deformation of the heat-sensitive conductor itself, thereby making it more convenient to use.

[0017] 2) When the overload protection structure of the present invention is applied to a compressor, for example, applied to a terminal, the overload current can be disconnected without entering the winding of the compressor, thereby effectively avoiding the problem of local winding burning caused by excessive current, and thus providing better overload protection for the compressor.

[0018] 3) The overload current of the terminal of the overload protection structure of the present invention can be disconnected simultaneously through the plug-in terminal connecting the neutral wire, the live wire and the ground wire, thereby effectively avoiding the overload protection structure of only the ground wire being broken, and the overload current passing through the neutral wire and the live wire causing the compressor to burn out.

[0019] 4) Overload is one of the common faults of compressors. The overload protection structure of the present invention can still be used to switch the current on and off when the overload protector or controller of the compressor fails, thereby effectively avoiding the problem of compressor burning.

[0020] 5) The overload protection structure provided in the lead-out wire assembly can provide the compressor with secondary overload protection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of a first embodiment of an overload protection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a schematic structural diagram of a second embodiment of an overload protection structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 The socket of the compressor of the present invention and Figure 3 The connection structure diagram of the terminal is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to better understand the purpose, structure and function of the present invention, an overload protection structure of the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] Figure 1 FIG. 1 shows the structure of a first embodiment of an overload protection structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1As shown, the overload protection structure 100 includes: an insulating housing 1, on which a current input terminal 11 and a current output terminal 12 are formed; and a thermally sensitive conductor 2 disposed within the insulating housing 1 and connected to one of the current input terminal 11 and the current output terminal 12. The thermally sensitive conductor 2 is configured to electrically connect the current input terminal 11 and the current output terminal 12 when the load current or temperature of the thermally sensitive conductor 2 is within a preset range. When the load current or temperature of the thermally sensitive conductor 2 exceeds the preset range, the thermally sensitive conductor 2 is configured to deform to disconnect the current input terminal 11 from the current output terminal 12.

[0027] The overload protection structure 100 of the embodiment of the present invention can be installed in an electrical circuit. When the load current or temperature in the circuit is within a preset range, the thermal conductor 2 is in a non-deformed state. At this time, the thermal conductor 2 connects the current input terminal 11 and the current output terminal 12, allowing the current in the circuit to flow normally through the overload protection structure 100, thereby ensuring normal power supply to the electrical circuit. When the load current or temperature in the circuit exceeds the preset range, the circuit is overloaded. The thermal conductor 2 deforms due to the excessive current or high temperature, disconnecting the current input terminal 11 and the current output terminal 12. This causes the electrical circuit to be short-circuited, preventing current from flowing. This effectively protects the circuit from burning out due to excessive load current or high temperature. Application of the overload protection structure 100 to electrical circuits can also effectively protect electrical appliances equipped with the overload protection structure 100 from overload, thereby preventing electrical appliance burnout.

[0028] For example, when the overload protection structure 100 is applied to a compressor, since overload is one of the most common compressor failures, the overload protection structure 100 of the present invention can still be used to switch the current on and off even when the compressor's overload protector or controller fails, thereby effectively preventing the compressor from burning out. Furthermore, the overload protection structure 100 of the present invention has a simple structure and can connect and disconnect the circuit to which it is applied simply by deforming the thermal conductor 2 itself, making it more convenient to use.

[0029] It should be noted that the preset current or temperature range mentioned above should be understood as the normal operating current or temperature range of the circuit. When applied to a compressor, the preset range should be understood as the maximum current or temperature range that the compressor can withstand.

[0030] Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows the structure of a second embodiment of an overload protection structure 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2As shown, the overload protection structure 100 includes an insulating housing 1 having a current input terminal 11 and a current output terminal 12 formed thereon; and two thermally sensitive conductors 2 disposed within the insulating housing 1 and connected to the current input terminal 11 and the current output terminal 12, respectively. When the load current or temperature of both thermally sensitive conductors 2 is within a preset range, the two thermally sensitive conductors 2 are electrically connected to connect the current input terminal 11 and the current output terminal 12. When the load current or temperature of at least one thermally sensitive conductor 2 exceeds the preset range, at least one thermally sensitive conductor 2 can deform away from the other thermally sensitive conductor 2 to disconnect the current input terminal 11 from the current output terminal 12. This configuration increases the contact area between the two thermally sensitive conductors 2, thereby improving the stability of the electrical connection between the current input terminal 11 and the current output terminal 12 via the thermally sensitive conductors 2. Furthermore, when the load voltage in the circuit is excessive or the temperature rises, the simultaneous deformation of the two thermally sensitive conductors can effectively increase the speed of circuit disconnection, thereby more quickly providing overload protection for the circuit.

[0031] Preferably, the thermal conductor 2 can be made of an oxide formed from two or more metal materials selected from manganese, copper, silicon, iron, and nickel; wherein the thermal conductor 2 is formed by thoroughly mixing and sintering the oxides of the two or more metal materials. Alternatively, the thermal conductor 2 can be made from one of silicon carbide, tin selenide, and tantalum nitride. Of course, the thermal conductor 2 can also be made from other materials similar to those used in thermistors, as long as they meet the requirements of this embodiment.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the insulating housing 1 can be made of an amorphous material. Preferably, the insulating housing 1 can be made of a glass material. Because glass materials provide sufficient rigidity, the overload protection structure 100 of the present invention can be applied to circuits requiring a certain degree of hardness or rigidity, such as the plugging pins or terminals of a terminal. Because glass materials can provide sufficient rigidity, when used in such situations, the electrical connection stability of the pins or terminals can be effectively ensured.

[0033] Figure 3 FIG. 2 shows the structure of the terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3As shown, the terminal 200 of the embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal housing 3 with an opening on the bottom surface and at least one plug-in terminal 4 that passes through the terminal housing 3 and is fixedly connected to its top surface. The plug-in terminal 4 includes the above-mentioned overload protection structure 100, a first terminal 41 connected to the power input end 11 of the overload protection structure 100 for electrically connecting to the power supply lead wire, and a second terminal 42 connected to the power output end 12 of the overload protection structure 100 for electrically connecting to the motor lead wire of the compressor. The first terminal 41 is fixedly connected to the top surface of the terminal housing 3, and the second terminal 42 extends out of the opening of the terminal housing 3.

[0034] When the terminal 200 of the embodiment of the present invention is in use, the first terminal 41 is electrically connected to the lead-out line of the power supply end. After it is plugged into the socket on the compressor, the second terminal 42 can be electrically connected to the terminal in the socket, so that the compressor can be connected to the power supply. In this embodiment, in order to ensure the rigidity of the plug-in terminal 4, the material of the insulating shell 1 of the overload protection structure 100 can be selected as a glass material. When the current of the load in the terminal 200 exceeds the limiting current or operating temperature of the compressor, the overload protection structure 100 provided on the terminal 200 can be disconnected in time to protect the compressor from overload (as can be seen from the above). Through this setting, the overloaded current can be disconnected without entering the winding of the compressor, thereby effectively avoiding the problem of local winding burning caused by excessive current, and thus better overload protection can be provided to the compressor.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the terminal block 200 includes three plug-in terminals 4 extending through the terminal block housing 3 and fixedly connected to its top surface. The three plug-in terminals 4 are parallel to each other and not coplanar. This configuration allows the terminal block 200 to be used in AC circuits, connecting the neutral wire, the live wire, and the ground wire. Furthermore, each of the three plug-in terminals 4 is provided with an overload protection structure 100, which enables the three wires to be promptly disconnected when the load current and temperature exceed preset ranges, thereby further protecting the compressor from overload.

[0036] The present invention also provides a compressor (not shown in the figures). Figure 4 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the connection between the terminal of the embodiment of the present invention and the socket of the compressor of the present invention. Figure 4As shown, the compressor according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a socket 300 for electrically connecting to the motor lead 5 of the compressor, and the above-mentioned terminal 200 plugged into the socket 300. The terminal housing 3 is sleeved on the outer surface of the socket 300, and the plug-in terminal 4 can be inserted into the interior of the socket 300 and connected to the motor lead 5. In combination with the above, it can be seen that the compressor can be powered after the terminal 200 is plugged into the socket 300. At this time, the overload protection structure 100 on the terminal 200 is located in the socket 300. When the current of the load in the power supply circuit of the compressor exceeds the limit current or operating temperature of the compressor, the overload protection structure 100 provided on the terminal 200 can be disconnected in time, thereby effectively protecting the compressor from overload and avoiding the problem of compressor burn-in.

[0037] In such Figure 4 In the preferred embodiment shown, the socket 300 may include a socket housing 51 and an insulating component 52 positioned within the socket housing 51. The insulating housing 1 of the overload protection structure 100 has an opening 13 facing the insulating component 52. The insulating component 52 is non-magnetic at the compressor's operating temperature, but becomes magnetic at temperatures exceeding the compressor's operating temperature. This allows the thermal conductor 2 to accelerate the disconnection between the socket 300 and the terminal 200 through the magnetism of the insulating component 52. Compressors in accordance with the present invention generally utilize Class B insulation material, which has a maximum operating temperature of 130°C. Operating in this temperature range, the insulating component 52 demagnetizes at low temperatures and becomes increasingly magnetic as the operating temperature rises. When the magnetism increases to a certain level, indicating a rise in the operating temperature, the magnetism can produce a magnetic attraction reaction with the thermal conductor 2, causing it to rapidly deform, thereby quickly disconnecting the terminal 200. This also ensures effective overheat protection for the compressor when the operating temperature rises abnormally. In addition, the neutral wire, live wire and ground wire connected to the terminal 200 are disconnected at the same time and magnetically connected to the insulating component 52 through the opening 13, which can also cause the circuit of the entire compressor to be broken. This effectively avoids the overload protection structure 100 of only the ground wire being broken, and the overload current passing through the neutral wire and live wire causing the compressor to burn out.

[0038] Preferably, the material of the insulating component 52 can be selected from one of rubber magnet, iron nobium cobalt, aluminum nickel cobalt, and ferrite. Further preferably, the material of the insulating component 52 can be ferrite.

[0039] Preferably, if Figure 4As shown, the compressor may further include a lead wire assembly 6 for electrically connecting the first terminal 41 to an external power source. The lead wire assembly 6 may include the above-mentioned overload protection structure 100, a first connecting wire 62 connecting the first terminal 41 to the current output end 12 of the overload protection structure 100, and a second connecting wire 61 for connecting the external power source to the current input end 11 of the overload protection structure 100. As can be seen from the above, the overload protection structure 100 provided in the lead wire assembly 6 can, on the one hand, provide the compressor with secondary overload protection. On the other hand, the overload current in the circuit can be first disconnected within the lead wire assembly 6, thereby effectively preventing the overload current from entering the compressor and causing local circuit burnout.

[0040] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the technical or scientific terms used in this application should have the common meanings understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit them. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and description of the present invention. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way. The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A compressor, characterized in that: It includes a socket for electrically connecting to the motor lead of the compressor, and a terminal plugged into and matched with the socket; The terminal comprises a terminal housing having an opening at the bottom and at least one plug-in terminal penetrating the terminal housing and fixedly connected to the top surface thereof, the plug-in terminal comprising an overload protection structure, a first terminal connected to the power input end of the overload protection structure for electrically connecting to a power supply lead wire, and a second terminal connected to the power output end of the overload protection structure for electrically connecting to a motor lead wire of the compressor, the first terminal being fixedly connected to the top surface of the terminal housing, and the second terminal extending out of the opening of the terminal housing; Wherein, the overload protection structure includes: an insulating housing, wherein a current input terminal and a current output terminal are formed on the insulating housing; a thermally sensitive conductor disposed in the insulating housing and connected to one of the current input terminal and the current output terminal, the thermally sensitive conductor being formed by mixing and sintering oxides formed of two or more metal materials selected from the group consisting of manganese, copper, silicon, iron, and nickel; The thermal conductor is configured to electrically connect the current input end and the current output end when the load current or temperature of the thermal conductor is within a preset range, and to deform to disconnect the current input end and the current output end when the load current or temperature of the thermal conductor exceeds the preset range. The terminal housing is sleeved on the outer surface of the socket, the plug-in terminal can be inserted into the interior of the socket and connected to the motor lead, the socket includes a socket housing and an insulating component located within the socket housing, the insulating housing of the overload protection structure is provided with an opening facing the insulating component, wherein the insulating component is configured to be non-magnetic at the operating temperature of the compressor and to generate magnetism when the temperature exceeds the operating temperature of the compressor, so that the thermally sensitive conductor can accelerate the disconnection between the socket and the terminal through the magnetism of the insulating component; The terminal block includes three plug-in terminals, and each of the three plug-in terminals is provided with an overload protection structure.

2. A compressor, characterized in that: It includes a socket for electrically connecting to the motor lead of the compressor, and a terminal plugged into and matched with the socket; The terminal comprises a terminal housing having an opening at the bottom and at least one plug-in terminal penetrating the terminal housing and fixedly connected to the top surface thereof, the plug-in terminal comprising an overload protection structure, a first terminal connected to the power input end of the overload protection structure for electrically connecting to a power supply lead wire, and a second terminal connected to the power output end of the overload protection structure for electrically connecting to a motor lead wire of the compressor, the first terminal being fixedly connected to the top surface of the terminal housing, and the second terminal extending out of the opening of the terminal housing; Wherein, the overload protection structure includes: an insulating housing, wherein a current input terminal and a current output terminal are formed on the insulating housing; Two thermally sensitive conductors disposed in the insulating housing and connected to the current input terminal and the current output terminal, respectively, the thermally sensitive conductors being formed by mixing and sintering oxides formed of two or more metal materials selected from manganese, copper, silicon, iron, and nickel; When the load current or temperature of the two thermally sensitive conductors is within a preset range, the two thermally sensitive conductors are electrically connected to connect the current input end and the current output end, and when the load current or temperature of at least one thermally sensitive conductor exceeds the preset range, at least one thermally sensitive conductor can be deformed away from the other thermally sensitive conductor to disconnect the current input end and the current output end; The terminal housing is sleeved on the outer surface of the socket, the plug-in terminal can be inserted into the interior of the socket and connected to the motor lead, the socket includes a socket housing and an insulating component located within the socket housing, the insulating housing of the overload protection structure is provided with an opening facing the insulating component, wherein the insulating component is configured to be non-magnetic at the operating temperature of the compressor and to generate magnetism when the temperature exceeds the operating temperature of the compressor, so that the thermally sensitive conductor can accelerate the disconnection between the socket and the terminal through the magnetism of the insulating component; The terminal block includes three plug-in terminals, and each of the three plug-in terminals is provided with an overload protection structure.

3. The compressor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The thermally sensitive conductor is made of one of silicon carbide, tin selenide and tantalum nitride.

4. The compressor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The insulating shell is made of amorphous material.

5. The compressor according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The terminal comprises three plug-in terminals that penetrate the terminal housing and are fixedly connected to the top surface thereof. The three plug-in terminals are parallel to each other and are not coplanar.

6. The compressor according to claim 1, characterized in that The material of the insulating component is selected from one of rubber magnet, iron-noble-cobalt, aluminum-nickel-cobalt and ferrite.

7. The compressor according to claim 1 or 6, characterized in that The compressor also includes a lead wire assembly for electrically connecting the first terminal with an external power supply, the lead wire assembly including the overload protection structure, a first connecting wire connecting the first terminal with the current output end of the overload protection structure, and a second connecting wire for connecting the external power supply with the current input end of the overload protection structure.

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