Cover for motor vehicle alternator

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover for protecting a regulator and a rectifier of a motor vehicle AC generator, the cover comprising at least two removable parts compatible with at least two possible configurations of a connector of the regulator, and / or at least two removable parts compatible with at least two possible configurations of terminals of the rectifier, the cover can be used to protect more than one possible configuration of a motor vehicle AC generator and reduce manufacturing time and cost.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to electric machines, more particularly to alternators for motor vehicles, and more particularly to a cover for a motor vehicle alternator. Background Art

[0002] An alternator is a rotating electrical machine that converts mechanical energy into alternating current and is primarily used to charge the vehicle's battery while the engine is operating.

[0003] Currently, different alternator technologies are produced using specific components, such as radiators, stators, covers, housings, rotors, voltage regulators, etc. The cover used for each alternator depends on the configuration of the regulator and radiator; therefore, it is necessary to develop a specific cover for each specific configuration.

[0004] When budgets are limited, it is not feasible to develop a different type of cover for each alternator configuration, so it is necessary to find a way to create one cover that can be used for different alternator configurations to reduce costs.

[0005] As a result, attempts have been made to eliminate the disadvantages of currently used AC generator covers by developing a cover for motor vehicle AC generators which can also be used in AC generators having different configurations of components constituting the AC generator (such as a regulator and a rectifier), making it possible to reduce manufacturing costs and time.

[0006] Technical Purpose

[0007] In view of the drawbacks of the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a cover for a motor vehicle alternator which is compatible with different configurations of components constituting the alternator, such as a regulator and a rectifier.

[0008] Another object of the invention is to provide a cover for a motor vehicle alternator which makes it possible to reduce manufacturing costs and time.

[0009] These objects and others are achieved by a universal housing for an alternator according to the present invention. Summary of the invention

[0010] For this purpose, a cover for protecting a regulator has been invented, the cover comprising: a connector, which is connected to the electrical system of a motor vehicle; and a rectifier, which comprises terminals to be connected to the battery of the vehicle itself, both of which constitute part of an alternator for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the cover comprises: at least two parts, which are respectively compatible with at least two possible configurations of the connector of the regulator; and / or at least two removable parts, which are respectively compatible with at least two possible configurations of the terminals of the rectifier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The novel aspects which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However, certain aspects, features, objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0012] Figure 1 A perspective view showing a particular form of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A bottom view of a cover 100 for a vehicle alternator in the form shown;

[0014] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A top view of a cover 100 for a vehicle alternator in the form shown;

[0015] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A right side view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown;

[0016] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 A right side view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown;

[0017] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown, the cover having a left axial connector opening and an axial end opening 141;

[0018] Figure 7 A perspective view of a particular form of regulator 210 is shown with a left axial connector 211;

[0019] Figure 8 A perspective view of a particular form of the regulator 210 is shown with a right side axial connector 213;

[0020] Fig. 9 A perspective view of a particular form of the regulator 210 is shown with a right side radial connector 214;

[0021] Fig.10 A perspective view showing a particular form of rectifier 220 having axial terminals 221;

[0022] Fig.11 A perspective view showing a particular form of rectifier 220 having radial terminals 222;

[0023] Fig.12A diagram showing a motor vehicle alternator 200 mounted on a left axial 211 and axial terminal 221 connector configuration according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 6 A perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the illustrated form;

[0024] Fig.13 According to the principle of the present invention, Figure 6 A perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator of the form shown in FIG. 1 , mounted on a motor vehicle alternator 200 having a left radial 212 and radial terminal 222 connector configuration;

[0025] Fig.14 A diagram showing a motor vehicle alternator 200 mounted on a right side axial 213 and radial terminal 222 connector configuration according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 6 A perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the illustrated form;

[0026] Fig.15 According to the principle of the present invention, Figure 6 1 is a perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown in FIG. 1 , mounted on a motor vehicle alternator 200 having a right side radial 214 and radial terminal 222 connector configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] It has been discovered that a cover for a motor vehicle AC generator having removable portions makes it compatible with different configurations of components such as regulators and rectifiers incorporated into the AC generator so as to reduce manufacturing costs and time by being able to use the same cover to protect more than one possible configuration of the motor vehicle AC generator.

[0028] Therefore, one aspect of the present invention is a cover for protecting a regulator, which cover comprises: a connector to be connected to the electrical system of a motor vehicle; and a rectifier, which comprises terminals to be connected to the battery of the vehicle itself, wherein the connector and the rectifier both constitute part of an AC generator for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the cover comprises: at least two removable parts, which are respectively compatible with at least two possible configurations of the connector of the regulator; and / or at least two removable parts, which are respectively compatible with at least two possible configurations of the terminals of the rectifier.

[0029] In this way, the same cover can be used to cover more than one possible configuration of the connectors of the rectifier and / or the terminals of the rectifier of a motor vehicle alternator.

[0030] The material forming the cover may be any material deemed suitable by a person skilled in the art according to the particular characteristics of the alternator on which the cover is to be placed. According to a preferred form of the invention, the material of the cover may be selected from polymers.

[0031] For the rectifier, the terminal of the rectifier is the B+ terminal. In addition, the rectifier also includes a diode. In this way, the rectifier is mounted on a heat sink, which helps in cooling the diodes of the rectifier. In addition, the heat sink is usually made of aluminum.

[0032] According to a preferred form of the invention, each removable portion can be cut to remove a portion of the material of the cover, thereby allowing the connector of the alternator and / or the terminals of the rectifier to be cleared for connection to the electrical system of the motor vehicle and the battery of the vehicle itself, respectively.

[0033] Furthermore, each removable portion is preferably cut independently of the other removable portions, which enables different combinations of removable portions to be cut to adapt the cover to the desired configuration of the motor vehicle alternator.

[0034] In this regard, the perimeter of each removable portion is preferably pre-cut so that each portion can be easily removed.

[0035] According to a preferred form of the invention, a cover for a motor vehicle alternator includes two removable portions respectively compatible with two configurations of connectors of the alternator and two removable portions respectively compatible with two configurations of terminals of the rectifier.

[0036] Regarding the configuration, the two configurations of the connector of the regulator are preferably a radial configuration and an axial configuration relative to the alternator.

[0037] Likewise, the two configurations of the terminals of the rectifier are preferably a radial configuration and an axial configuration relative to the alternator.

[0038] According to another preferred form of the invention, a cover for a motor vehicle alternator includes four removable portions respectively compatible with four configurations of connectors of the alternator and two removable portions respectively compatible with two configurations of terminals of the rectifier.

[0039] Regarding configuration, the four configurations of the connector of the regulator are preferably right radial, left radial, right axial and left axial configurations relative to the body of the alternator.

[0040] Likewise, the two configurations of the terminals of the rectifier are preferably radial and axial relative to the body of the alternator.

[0041] Therefore, preferably at least two removable portions are cut forming at least two openings which allow connection of the connector of the regulator and the terminals of the rectifier to the electrical system of the motor vehicle and to the battery of the vehicle itself, respectively.

[0042] Reference Figure 1 , which shows a perspective view of a specific form of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator according to the principles of the present invention. As can be seen from the figure, the cover 100 includes a removable portion 111 compatible with the left axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 112 compatible with the left radial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 113 compatible with the right axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 114 compatible with the right radial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 121 compatible with the axial configuration of the rectifier terminal, and a removable portion 122 compatible with the radial configuration of the rectifier terminal, wherein each of the perimeters of the removable portions is pre-cut to facilitate its removal.

[0043] Reference now Figure 2 , the figure shows Figure 1 A bottom view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown. As can be seen from this figure, the cover 100 includes a removable portion 111 compatible with the left axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 113 compatible with the right axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 114 compatible with the right radial configuration of the regulator connector, and a removable portion 121 compatible with the axial configuration of the rectifier terminal, wherein each of the perimeters of the removable portions is pre-cut to facilitate their removal.

[0044] Reference now Figure 3 , the figure shows Figure 1 A top view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown. As can be seen from this figure, the cover 100 includes a removable portion 111 compatible with the left axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 113 compatible with the right axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 114 compatible with the right radial configuration of the regulator connector, and a removable portion 121 compatible with the axial configuration of the rectifier terminal, wherein each of the perimeters of the removable portions is pre-cut to facilitate their removal.

[0045] Reference now Figure 4 , the figure shows Figure 1A right side view of a cover 100 for an automotive alternator of the form shown. As can be seen from this figure, the cover 100 includes a removable portion 111 compatible with the left axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 112 compatible with the left radial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 113 compatible with the right axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 114 compatible with the right radial configuration of the regulator connector, and a removable portion 122 compatible with the radial configuration of the rectifier terminal, wherein each of the perimeters of the removable portions is pre-cut to facilitate its removal.

[0046] Reference now Figure 5 , the figure shows Figure 1 A right side view of a cover 100 for an automotive alternator in the form shown. As can be seen from this figure, the cover 100 includes a removable portion 111 compatible with the left axial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 112 compatible with the left radial configuration of the regulator connector, a removable portion 113 compatible with the right axial configuration of the regulator connector, and a removable portion 114 compatible with the right radial configuration of the regulator connector, wherein each of the perimeters of the removable portions is pre-cut to facilitate their removal.

[0047] Reference now Figure 6 , the figure shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown, with a left axial connector opening and an axial end opening 141. It can be seen from this figure that the removable portion 111 has been cut to form an opening so that the left axial connector of the regulator 211 can remain free for connection to the electrical system of the motor vehicle, while the removable portion 121 has also been cut to form an opening so that the axial terminal 221 of the rectifier can remain free for connection to the battery of the motor vehicle itself.

[0048] Reference now Figure 7 , which shows a perspective view of a specific form of an adjuster 210 with a left axial connector 211 according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 1 For the cover 100 to be compatible with the left axial connector 211 , the removable portion 111 must be cut.

[0049] Reference now Figure 8 , which shows a perspective view of a specific form of an adjuster 210 with a right axial connector 213 according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 1 For the cap 100 to be compatible with the right axial connector 213 , the removable portion 113 must be cut.

[0050] Reference now Fig. 9, which shows a perspective view of a specific form of an adjuster 210 with a right radial connector 214 according to the principles of the present invention. As can be seen from this figure, in order to make Figure 1 For the cover 100 to be compatible with the right radial connector 214 , the removable portion 114 must be cut.

[0051] Reference now Fig.10 , which shows a perspective view of a specific form of a rectifier 220 with axial terminals 221 according to the principles of the present invention. As can be seen from this figure, the rectifier 220 includes a diode 223 and is mounted on a heat sink 230.

[0052] Reference now Fig.11 , which shows a perspective view of a specific form of a rectifier 220 with radial terminals 222 according to the principles of the present invention. As can be seen from this figure, the rectifier 220 includes a diode 223 and is mounted on a heat sink 230.

[0053] Reference Fig.12 , which shows a motor vehicle AC generator 200 having a left axial connector 211 and an axial terminal connector 221 according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 6 A perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown. As can be seen from this figure, the cover 100 is mounted on an alternator 200. For its part, the removable portion 111 has been cut and the opening formed allows the left axial connector 211 to remain uncovered in order to be connected to the electrical system of the motor vehicle. In addition, the removable portion 121 has also been cut and the opening formed allows the axial terminal 221 to remain uncovered in order to be connected to the battery of the vehicle itself.

[0054] Reference Fig.13 , which shows a schematic diagram of a circuit according to the principle of the present invention, Figure 6 , a perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown in FIG, mounted on a motor vehicle alternator 200 having a left radial 212 and radial terminal 222 connector configuration. As can be seen in this figure, the cover 100 is mounted on the alternator 200. As such, the removable portion 112 has been cut, and the opening formed allows the left radial connector 212 to remain uncovered for connection to the electrical system of the motor vehicle. In addition, the removable portion 122 has also been cut, and the opening formed allows the radial terminal 222 to remain uncovered for connection to the battery of the vehicle itself.

[0055] Reference Fig.14 , which shows a motor vehicle AC generator 200 mounted on a right side axial 213 and radial terminal 222 connector configuration according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 6A perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown. As can be seen from this figure, the cover 100 is mounted on an alternator 200. For its part, the removable portion 113 has been cut and the opening formed allows the right-hand axial connector 213 to remain uncovered in order to be connected to the electrical system of the motor vehicle. In addition, the removable portion 122 has also been cut and the opening formed allows the radial terminal 22 to remain uncovered in order to be connected to the battery of the vehicle itself.

[0056] Reference Fig.15 , which shows a schematic diagram of a circuit according to the principle of the present invention, Figure 6 , a perspective view of a cover 100 for a motor vehicle alternator in the form shown in FIG, mounted on a motor vehicle alternator 200 having a right radial 214 and radial terminal 222 connector configuration. As can be seen in this figure, the cover 100 is mounted on the alternator 200. As such, the removable portion 114 has been cut, and the opening formed allows the right radial connector 214 to remain uncovered for connection to the electrical system of the motor vehicle. In addition, the removable portion 122 has also been cut, and the opening formed allows the radial terminal 222 to remain uncovered for connection to the battery of the vehicle itself.

[0057] From the description previously provided, it can be observed that the cover for a motor vehicle alternator is designed to be compatible with different configurations of regulator connectors and rectifier terminals, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the form of the cover for a motor vehicle alternator as previously described and shown in the accompanying drawings is given purely by way of non-limiting example of the invention, since numerous changes may be made with regard to the details of the cover without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, different types of materials, different locations of the removable portions and different pre-cutting techniques may be used.

[0058] Accordingly, the present invention is not to be considered limited except as required by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cover for protecting a regulator, the cover comprising: a connector that is connected to the electrical system of a motor vehicle; and a rectifier comprising terminals to be connected to the battery of the vehicle itself, wherein both the connector and the rectifier constitute part of an alternator for a motor vehicle, characterized in that the cover comprises: at least two removable parts respectively compatible with at least two configurations of the connector, and at least two removable parts respectively compatible with at least two configurations of the terminals of the rectifier.

2. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that Each of the removable portions can be cut to remove a portion of the material of the cover, allowing the connector of the alternator and / or the terminals of the rectifier to pass through to be connected to the electrical system of the motor vehicle and to the battery of the vehicle itself, respectively.

3. The cover according to claim 2, characterized in that Each removable portion is capable of being cut independently of the other removable portions.

4. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that The perimeter of each of the removable portions is pre-cut so that each portion can be easily removed.

5. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that The two configurations of the connector of the regulator are radial configuration and axial configuration relative to the alternator.

6. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that Two configurations of the terminals of the rectifier are radial and axial relative to the alternator.

7. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that The cover includes four removable portions respectively compatible with four configurations of connectors of the alternator, and two removable portions respectively compatible with two configurations of terminals of the rectifier.

8. The cover according to claim 7, characterized in that The four configurations of the connector of the regulator are right radial, left radial, right axial and left axial configurations relative to the body of the alternator.

9. The cover according to claim 7, characterized in that Two configurations of the terminals of the rectifier are radial and axial relative to the body of the alternator.

10. The cover according to claim 1, characterized in that At least two removable portions are cut forming at least two openings allowing connection of the connector of the regulator and the terminals of the rectifier to the electrical system of the motor vehicle and to the battery of the vehicle itself, respectively.

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