Electric Compressor Connector Geometry for Water Droplet Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric compressors face challenges in effectively preventing inverter damage from water droplets while increasing the number of parts and manufacturing costs with the use of additional water stoppers.
Innovation Solution
The electric compressor incorporates a connector with a first protrusion that includes an end surface with an insertion hole for the cable and a side surface with a second protrusion extending downward, guiding water droplets from the insertion hole to the second protrusion, thereby preventing them from entering the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a water stopper is attached to the cable to guide water droplets away from the insertion hole, then the inverter is better protected from water damage, but the number of parts increases and manufacturing workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water droplet guiding function is merged into the connector structure itself by forming a second protrusion that extends downward from the side surface. This integrates the water protection function into an existing component (the connector) rather than adding a separate water stopper, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining effective protection of the inverter from water damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to serve multiple functions: electrical connection through the insertion hole and water droplet guidance through the second protrusion. By making the connector multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for a dedicated water stopper component, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a water stopper is attached to the cable to guide water droplets away from the insertion hole, then the inverter is better protected from water damage, but the manufacturing workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water droplet guiding function is merged into the connector structure itself by forming a second protrusion that extends downward from the side surface. This integrates the water protection function into an existing component (the connector) rather than adding a separate water stopper, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining effective protection of the inverter from water damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector structure itself provides the water protection function through its geometric design (the second protrusion), eliminating the need for separate water stopper components that would require additional assembly steps. The structure serves its own water guidance needs, reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If the cable is inserted into the grommet in the connector, then water droplets are prevented from entering the housing, but additional protection is needed to more suitably prevent inverter damage
Solution Approach 1:
The water droplet guiding function is merged into the connector structure itself by forming a second protrusion that extends downward from the side surface. This integrates the water protection function into an existing component (the connector) rather than adding a separate water stopper, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining effective protection of the inverter from water damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The second protrusion is designed to intercept and guide water droplets away from the insertion hole before they can enter the housing and reach the inverter. This preliminary action of water guidance prevents water from reaching vulnerable components, providing enhanced protection without requiring additional parts.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively prevents water droplets from entering the inverter chamber, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining the compressor's operational integrity while minimizing the increase in manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A second protrusion is formed integrally with the side surface and extends downward from the side surface in a gravity direction corresponding to a direction in which the gravity is applied to the housing. A water droplet having reached the insertion hole along the cable is guided from the insertion hole to the second protrusion along the end surface.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric compressor includes: a compression mechanism; a motor mechanism; an inverter; a housing accommodating the compression mechanism, the motor mechanism, and the inverter; and a power supplier. The power supplier includes a connector and a cable extending toward an outside of the housing. The connector includes a first protrusion extending toward the outside of the housing. The first protrusion includes an end surface that has an insertion hole into which the cable is inserted, and a side surface that cylindrically extends and is connected to the end surface. A second protrusion is formed integrally with the side surface and extends downward from the side surface in a gravity direction corresponding to a direction in which the gravity is applied to the housing. A water droplet having reached the insertion hole along the cable is guided from the insertion hole to the second protrusion along the end surface.