Wax motor actuator

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the field of actuators, and particularly relates to a wax motor actuator which comprises a shell, a wax motor and a heating sheet, an electric connection device for supplying power to the heating sheet is arranged on the shell, and the electric connection device comprises two wiring insertion sheets and a connector body. One end of each wiring insertion piece is provided with a contact part which extends into the shell and is connected with the heating piece, the other end of each wiring insertion piece is provided with an insertion part which is exposed out of the shell, the connector body is provided with an insertion cavity which can accommodate the insertion parts of the two wiring insertion pieces, and the connector body, the insertion parts of the two wiring insertion pieces and an external connector are inserted into each other. The power supply supplies power to the heating sheet. The electric connection device is additionally arranged on the shell, the electric connection device is plugged with the external connector through the connector body and the plugging part of the wiring plugging sheet, and the connection is more convenient by adopting a plugging mode, so that the connector has an anti-misplug function, and wiring errors are avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of actuators, and particularly relates to a wax motor actuator. Background Art

[0002] A wax motor is a device that converts thermal energy into mechanical energy by using the volume expansion generated by the solid-to-liquid phase change of temperature-sensitive wax. It mainly consists of a positive temperature coefficient thermistor and a sealed container filled with solid wax. When the thermistor is energized, the solid wax is heated and melted and expands, pushing a piston pressed by a spring to move outward. When the thermistor is de-energized, the liquid wax cools, and the spring returns the piston to its initial position. The wax motor actuator has the characteristics of large driving force, quiet operation, and large thrust during the full stroke, and is widely used in the household appliance and HVAC industries.

[0003] Existing wax motor actuators are all wired by means of wiring inserts. The wiring is not convenient and is prone to the risk of wiring errors. The wiring inserts are exposed outside the wax motor actuator, and the protection performance is poor, with the risk of accidental contact or electric shock. Moreover, when used in a high-vibration environment (using the wax motor actuator on a washing machine), it is easy to damage the electrical connection quality and reliability of the wiring inserts. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the utility model is to overcome the defects and deficiencies existing in the prior art, and provide a wax motor actuator, which can effectively solve the problem of inconvenient wiring, avoid wiring errors, and effectively improve the electrical connection quality and reliability.

[0005] To achieve the above purpose, the technical solution adopted by the utility model is as follows: A wax motor actuator includes a housing, a wax motor and a heating element disposed in the housing. An electrical connection device for supplying power to the heating element is provided on the housing. The electrical connection device includes two wiring inserts disposed on the housing and a connector body disposed on the housing. One end of each of the two wiring inserts has a contact portion extending into the housing and connected to the heating element, and the other end of each of the two wiring inserts has a plug portion exposed outside the housing. The connector body has a plugging cavity capable of accommodating the plug portions of the two wiring inserts. The connector body, the plug portions of the two wiring inserts and an external connector are inserted into each other to supply power to the heating element.

[0006] In some embodiments, support ridges are provided on both sides of the plugging cavity of the connector body and are attached to the plug portions of the two wiring inserts.

[0007] In some embodiments, a plurality of anti-detachment teeth engaged with the connector body are respectively provided on the plug portions of the two wiring inserts.

[0008] In some embodiments, the plugging cavity of the connector body is provided with clamping bumps that engage with the external connector.

[0009] In some embodiments, the plugging cavity of the connector body is respectively provided with several pairs of plugging guide grooves and several pairs of plugging guide ridges that cooperate with the external connector.

[0010] In some embodiments, a plug pin is provided on the connector body, plug pin holes through which the plug pin can pass are respectively provided on the two wiring tabs, jacks are provided on the connector body corresponding to the plug pin holes, the plug pin is inserted through the jacks and the plug pin holes, and a clamping fit of the plug pin with the connector body and the two wiring tabs is formed.

[0011] In some embodiments, a limiting bump for limiting cooperation with the jack is provided at one end of the plug pin.

[0012] In some embodiments, two hooks that cooperate with the two wiring tabs are provided on the connector body, engaging holes that cooperate with the two hooks are provided on the two wiring tabs, the two hooks are respectively clamped in the two engaging holes, and a clamping fit of the connector body with the two wiring tabs is formed.

[0013] In some embodiments, a clamping hole is provided on the housing, a hook that cooperates with the clamping hole is provided on the connector body, the hook is clamped in the clamping hole, and a clamping fit of the housing with the connector body is formed.

[0014] In some embodiments, an elastic buckle is provided on the housing, two buckling grooves corresponding to the two ends of the elastic buckle are respectively provided on the connector body, the two ends of the elastic buckle are clamped in the buckling grooves, and a clamping fit of the elastic buckle with the connector body is formed.

[0015] In some embodiments, two terminal pieces that are inserted into the insertion parts of the two wiring tabs are provided in the plugging cavity of the connector body, one end of the terminal piece has an insertion space for inserting the insertion part of the wiring tab, the other end of the terminal piece has a pin part for inserting into the external connector, and the connector body and the pin parts of the two terminal pieces are inserted into the external connector.

[0016] In some embodiments, anti - detachment tooth grooves for engaging with the connector body are provided on the pin part.

[0017] In some embodiments, one end of the terminal piece has two flanges formed by bending towards each other. An insertion space is formed between the two flanges and the terminal piece. The flanges include a flat contact portion and a curved surface bending portion. The curved surface bending portion is transitionally connected between the flat contact portion and the terminal piece. When the insertion portion of the wiring insertion piece is inserted into the insertion space, the flat contact portion abuts against the insertion portion.

[0018] In some embodiments, contact positioning holes are provided on the insertion portion of the wiring insertion piece, and contact bumps engaged with the contact positioning holes are provided in the insertion space.

[0019] In some embodiments, a contact elastic piece is provided at one side of the insertion space corresponding to the contact bump, and the tail of the contact elastic piece abuts against one side of the insertion portion.

[0020] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows: An electrical connection device is added to the housing. The electrical connection device is inserted into the external connector through the connector body and the insertion portion of the wiring insertion piece. The insertion connection method is adopted, and the wiring is more convenient. It has an anti-misinsertion function to avoid wiring errors. The insertion portion of the wiring insertion piece is arranged in the insertion cavity of the connector body, which can avoid the risk of accidental contact or electric shock caused by the exposure of the wiring insertion piece, and has better protection performance. The electrical connection device is inserted into the external connector, which can effectively improve the connection quality and reliability between the electrical connection device and the external connector, and can meet the use requirements in a vibration environment. This electrical connection device meets the standard requirements of the RAST connector. The RAST (Raster Anschluss Steck Technik) connector is a standardized electrical connection solution widely used in the home appliance field. Its name comes from German, meaning "standard pitch connector technology". This connector adopts a modular design and realizes rapid assembly through pins and interfaces with a unified pitch, and has characteristics such as anti-misinsertion, high current carrying capacity, and anti-vibration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the following drawings are only some embodiments of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, obtaining other drawings based on these drawings still belongs to the scope of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional view of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 2 It is an exploded view of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 3Stereogram of the connector body of Embodiment 1 of the present utility model disposed on the bottom wall of the housing;

[0025] Figure 4 Stereogram of Embodiment 2 of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 5 Cross-sectional view of Embodiment 2 of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 6 Stereogram of Embodiment 3 of the present utility model;

[0028] Figure 7 Stereogram of Embodiment 4 of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 8 Exploded view of Embodiment 5 of the present utility model;

[0030] Figure 9 Stereogram of the terminal piece of Embodiment 5 of the present utility model disposed parallel to the housing;

[0031] Figure 10 Schematic assembly structure diagram of the terminal piece and the wiring insertion piece of Embodiment 5 of the present utility model;

[0032] Figure 11 Schematic cross-sectional structure diagram of the terminal piece and the wiring insertion piece of Embodiment 5 of the present utility model. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present utility model clearer and more understandable, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present utility model and are not used to limit the present utility model.

[0034] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field to which the present utility model belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and do not limit the present utility model. The terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of the present utility model and the above accompanying drawing descriptions are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0035] The directional and positional terms mentioned in the present utility model, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, inside, outside, top, bottom, side, etc., are only with reference to the directions or positions in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional and positional terms used are for the purpose of explaining and understanding the present utility model and do not limit the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0036] The present utility model will be further described below in combination with the accompanying drawings and specific implementation manners:

[0037] Example 1:

[0038] As Figures 1-3 shown, this embodiment provides a wax motor actuator, which includes a housing 1, a wax motor 2 and a heating element 3 arranged in the housing 1. An electrical connection device 4 for supplying power to the heating element 3 is arranged on the housing 1. The electrical connection device 4 includes two wiring inserts 41 arranged on the housing 1 and a connector body 42 arranged on the housing 1. One end of each of the two wiring inserts 41 has a contact portion 411 extending into the housing 1 and connected to the heating element 3, and the other end of each of the two wiring inserts 41 has a plug portion 412 exposed outside the housing 1. The connector body 42 has a plugging cavity 420 that can accommodate the plug portions 412 of the two wiring inserts 41. The connector body 42, the plug portions 412 of the two wiring inserts 41 and an external connector are inserted into each other to supply power to the heating element 3. An electrical connection device is added to the housing. The electrical connection device is inserted into the external connector through the connector body and the plug portions of the wiring inserts. The plug-in connection method is adopted, which makes wiring more convenient, has an anti-misplugging function, and can avoid wiring errors. The plug portions of the wiring inserts are arranged in the plugging cavity of the connector body, which can avoid the risk of accidental contact or electric shock caused by the exposure of the wiring inserts, and has better protection performance. The electrical connection device is inserted into the external connector, which can effectively improve the connection quality and reliability between the electrical connection device and the external connector, and can meet the use requirements under vibration conditions. This electrical connection device meets the standard requirements of RAST connectors. RAST (Raster Anschluss Steck Technik) connectors are a standardized electrical connection solution widely used in the home appliance field. Its name comes from German and means "standard pitch connector technology". This connector adopts a modular design and realizes rapid assembly through pins and interfaces with a unified pitch, and has characteristics such as anti-misplugging, high current carrying capacity, and anti-vibration.

[0039] As Figure 2As shown, in the insertion cavity 420 of the connector body 42, there are support ridges 421 attached to both sides of the insertion parts 412 of the two wiring inserts 41. The support ridges can support and strengthen the insertion parts of the wiring inserts, preventing the insertion parts from being bent due to excessive insertion force, which is beneficial to improving the electrical connection quality and reliability of the electrical connection device. On the insertion parts 412 of the two wiring inserts 41, there are respectively provided a number of anti - detachment teeth 4121 that are engaged with the connector body 42. The insertion parts of the wiring inserts are engaged with the connector body through the anti - detachment teeth, which can ensure a more firm connection between the wiring inserts and the connector body, preventing the wiring inserts from loosening or detaching from the connector body, and is beneficial to improving the electrical connection quality and reliability of the wax motor actuator. In the insertion cavity 420 of the connector body 42, there is a snap - fit protrusion 422 that is engaged with an external connector. The connector body is engaged with the external connector through the snap - fit protrusion, which can ensure the connection reliability between the connector body and the external connector. In the insertion cavity 420 of the connector body 42, there are respectively provided a number of insertion guiding grooves 423 and a number of insertion guiding ridges 424 that are matched with the external connector. The insertion guiding grooves and insertion guiding ridges can play a guiding and anti - misoperation role, preventing the electrical connection device from being inserted wrongly with the external connector, and ensuring the connection reliability between the electrical connection device and the external connector.

[0040] As Figure 1 and 3 shown, on the connector body 42, there is a pin 43. On the two wiring inserts 41, there are respectively provided pin holes 413 through which the pin 43 can pass. Corresponding to the pin holes 422, there are jacks 425 on the connector body 42. The pin 43 is inserted into the jacks 425 and pin holes 413, and constitutes a snap - fit between the pin 43, the connector body 42, and the two wiring inserts 41. The pin is a columnar structure made of insulating material, and its cross - sectional shape is square, circular, triangular, or elliptical. These are only some of the cross - sectional shapes of the pin in this embodiment, and there can be more cross - sectional shapes of the pin. However, any change in the cross - sectional shape of the pin achieved through the above inventive concept should be within the protection scope of this patent. And the pin holes of the wiring inserts are matched with the shape of the pin. The connector body is connected to the two wiring inserts through the pin, which can ensure a more compact and firm connection among the connector body, the wiring inserts, and the housing, and is beneficial to improving the electrical connection reliability of the electrical connection assembly. One end of the pin 43 is provided with a limit protrusion 43I that is in limit cooperation with the jack 425. The limit protrusion can play a limiting role, preventing the pin from loosening from the connector body and the wiring inserts. The connector body can be connected to the side wall or the bottom wall of the housing, and the position of the connector body can be adjusted accordingly according to the insertion direction.

[0041] Embodiment 2:

[0042] This embodiment provides a wax motor actuator. The difference between Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 1 lies in that the connection manner between the connector body and the wiring tab is different. For example, Figure 4 and 5 As shown, two hooks 426 are provided on the connector body 42 and are matched with two wiring tabs 41. Card holes 414 are provided on the two wiring tabs 41 and are matched with the two hooks 426. The two hooks 426 are respectively engaged in the two card holes 414, and a snap-fit between the connector body 42 and the two wiring tabs 41 is formed. The connector body is snap-fitted with the two wiring tabs through the two hooks. The connector body is connected to the housing through the two wiring tabs, which makes the assembly more convenient and can ensure a more compact connection between the connector body, the two wiring tabs, and the housing.

[0043] Embodiment 3:

[0044] This embodiment provides a wax motor actuator. The difference between Embodiment 3 and Embodiment 2 lies in that the connection manner between the connector body and the housing is different. For example, Figure 6 As shown, a snap hole 11 is provided on the housing 1, and a hook 427 is provided on the connector body 42 and is matched with the snap hole 11. The hook 427 is engaged in the snap hole 11, and a snap-fit between the housing 1 and the connector body 42 is formed. The connector is buckled with the snap hole of the housing through the hook, which facilitates the assembly of the connector body and the housing and can ensure a more compact connection between the connector body and the housing.

[0045] Embodiment 4:

[0046] This embodiment provides a wax motor actuator. The difference between Embodiment 4 and Embodiment 3 lies in that the connection manner between the connector body and the housing is different. For example, Figure 7 As shown, an elastic snap member 12 is provided on the housing 1, and two snap grooves 428 are respectively provided at both ends of the connector body 42 corresponding to the elastic snap member 12. Both ends of the elastic snap member 12 are engaged in the snap grooves 428, and a snap-fit between the elastic snap member 12 and the connector body 42 is formed. By adding an elastic snap member on the housing, the housing is buckled with the connector body through the elastic snap member, which facilitates the assembly of the connector body and the housing and can ensure a more compact connection between the connector body and the housing.

[0047] Embodiment 5:

[0048] This embodiment provides a wax motor actuator. The difference between Embodiment 5 and Embodiment 1 is that two terminal pieces 44 are added in the connector body 42. The two wiring tabs 41 are inserted into the two terminal pieces 44, and the two wiring tabs 41 are inserted into the external connector through the connector body 42 and the two terminal pieces 44 to supply power to the heating element 3. For example, Figure 8As shown in the figure, two terminal pieces 44 that are inserted into the insertion parts 412 of the two wiring inserts 41 are arranged in the insertion cavity 420 of the connector body 42. One end of the terminal piece 44 has an insertion space 440 for inserting the insertion part 412 of the wiring insert 41, and the other end of the terminal piece 44 has a pin part 441 for inserting into an external connector. The connector body 42, and the pin parts 441 of the two terminal pieces 44 are inserted into the external connector. By adding two terminal pieces in the connector body and inserting the two terminal pieces into the two wiring inserts, the assembly is more convenient. The pin part 441 has an anti-disengagement tooth groove 4411 that engages with the connector body 42. The pin part of the terminal piece is engaged in the connector body through the anti-disengagement tooth groove, so as to ensure that the connection between the terminal piece and the connector body is more compact and firm, which is beneficial to improving the electrical connection quality and reliability of the electrical connection device.

[0049] As Figure 8 and 9 shown, one end of the terminal piece 44 has two flanges 442 formed by bending in opposite directions. An insertion space 440 is formed between the two flanges 442 and the terminal piece 44. The flange 442 includes a flat contact part 4421 and a curved surface bending part 4422. The curved surface bending part 4422 is connected between the flat contact part 4421 and the terminal piece 44 in a transitional manner. When the insertion part 412 of the wiring insert 41 is inserted into the insertion space 440, the flat contact part 4421 abuts against the insertion part 412. The curved surface bending part can increase the contact pressure between the flat contact part and the insertion part of the wiring insert, and can improve the contact quality and reliability between the terminal piece and the wiring insert. The pin part of the terminal piece can be set perpendicular to the side surface of the housing, or the pin part can be set parallel to the side surface of the housing, so as to meet the use requirements of different insertion directions of the wax motor actuator, and the position of the pin part of the terminal piece can be adjusted accordingly according to the insertion direction.

[0050] As Figure 10 、 11 shown, a contact positioning hole 4122 is provided on the insertion part 412 of the wiring insert 41, and a contact bump 4401 that engages with the contact positioning hole 4122 is provided in the insertion space 440. The contact bump is engaged in the contact positioning hole, and the contact bump can lock the insertion part in the insertion space, so as to ensure that the connection between the contact insert and the terminal piece is more reliable. A contact elastic piece 4402 is provided on one side of the insertion space 440 corresponding to the contact bump 4401, and the tail of the contact elastic piece 4402 abuts against one side of the insertion part 412. The contact elastic piece can press the insertion part in the insertion space, so as to ensure that the connection between the wiring insert and the terminal piece is more reliable.

[0051] The above is only one embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present utility model; the protection scope of the present utility model is defined by the claims in the claims book, and all equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the utility model are within the protection scope of the patent of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A wax motor actuator, characterized in that: It includes a housing, a wax motor and a heating element disposed within the housing. An electrical connection device for supplying power to the heating element is provided on the housing. The electrical connection device includes two wiring terminals disposed on the housing and a connector body disposed on the housing. One end of each of the two wiring terminals has a contact portion extending into the housing and connected to the heating element. The other end of each of the two wiring terminals has a plugging portion exposed outside the housing. The connector body has a plugging cavity for accommodating the plugging portions of the two wiring terminals. The connector body, the plugging portions of the two wiring terminals and an external connector are inserted into each other to supply power to the heating element.

2. The wax motor actuator according to claim 1, wherein: Support ridges are provided on both sides of the plugging portions of the two wiring terminals and are fitted in the plugging cavity of the connector body.

3. The wax motor actuator according to claim 2, wherein: A number of anti-disengagement teeth for engaging with the connector body are respectively provided on the plugging portions of the two wiring terminals.

4. The wax motor actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A clamping projection for engaging with the external connector is provided in the plugging cavity of the connector body.

5. The wax motor actuator according to claim 4, wherein: A number of insertion guiding grooves and a number of insertion guiding ridges for cooperating with the external connector are respectively provided in the plugging cavity of the connector body.

6. The wax motor actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pin is provided on the connector body. Pin holes through which the pin can pass are respectively provided on the two wiring terminals. A jack is provided on the connector body corresponding to the pin holes. The pin is inserted through the jack and the pin holes, and a clamping fit between the pin and the connector body and the two wiring terminals is formed.

7. The wax motor actuator according to claim 6, wherein: A limiting projection for limiting cooperation with the jack is provided at one end of the pin.

8. The wax motor actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two hooks for cooperating with the two wiring terminals are provided on the connector body. Hook holes for cooperating with the two hooks are provided on the two wiring terminals. The two hooks are respectively engaged in the two hook holes, and a clamping fit between the connector body and the two wiring terminals is formed.

9. The wax motor actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: A clamping hole is provided on the housing. A hook for cooperating with the clamping hole is provided on the connector body. The hook is engaged in the clamping hole, and a clamping fit between the housing and the connector body is formed.

10. The wax motor actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: An elastic snap member is provided on the housing. Two buckling grooves corresponding to the two ends of the elastic snap member are respectively provided on the connector body. The two ends of the elastic snap member are engaged in the buckling grooves, and a clamping fit between the elastic snap member and the connector body is formed.

11. The wax motor actuator according to claim 1, characterized in that: Two terminal pieces for inserting into the plugging portions of the two wiring terminals are provided in the plugging cavity of the connector body. One end of each terminal piece has a plugging space for inserting into the plugging portion of the wiring terminal. The other end of each terminal piece has a pin portion for inserting into the external connector. The connector body and the pin portions of the two terminal pieces are inserted into the external connector.

12. The wax motor actuator according to claim 11, wherein: An anti-disengagement tooth groove for engaging with the connector body is provided on the pin portion.

13. The wax motor actuator according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: One end of each terminal piece has two flanges bent towards each other. A plugging space is formed between the two flanges and the terminal piece. Each flange includes a flat plate contact portion and an arc surface bending portion. The arc surface bending portion is connected between the flat plate contact portion and the terminal piece in a transitional manner. When the plugging portion of the wiring terminal is inserted into the plugging space, the flat plate contact portion abuts against the plugging portion.

14. The wax motor actuator according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that: The insertion part of the connection insert has contact positioning holes, and contact bumps that engage with the contact positioning holes are arranged in the insertion space.

15. The wax motor actuator according to claim 14, wherein: A contact spring piece is arranged at one side of the contact bump in the insertion space, and the tail of the contact spring piece abuts against one side of the insertion part.

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