Compressor Plug Assembly Threaded Conduit Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connector systems for compressors face challenges in securely and reliably connecting wires to prevent moisture and debris ingress, while ensuring a stable electrical pathway.
Innovation Solution
A plug assembly with a threaded coupling unitary to the plug body, a conduit adapter with threaded surfaces, and a threaded conduit that allows wires to extend from the plug body through the adapter and into the conduit, providing a sealed and secure connection using a latching device or deflectable components to prevent disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple plug assembly is used for electrical connection, then ease of operation is improved, but protection against moisture and debris ingress deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The plug assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: the plug body containing electrical receptacles, a separate conduit adapter with threaded coupling, and a conduit portion. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the plug body for ease of connection and the conduit adapter for sealing protection against moisture and debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit adapter serves as an intermediary component between the plug body and the conduit. It features a sealed interface with the plug body and a threaded coupling for the conduit, acting as a mediator that maintains the hermetic seal while enabling secure mechanical attachment and wire passage protection.
2Device complexity
If a threaded coupling is integrated unitary with the plug body, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded coupling is merged unitarily with the plug body as an integrated component. This combining reduces the total number of separate parts and assembly steps, simplifying the overall device structure while the precision is maintained through design considerations for the threaded interface.
3Ease of operation
If wires are allowed to extend freely from the plug body, then ease of operation is improved, but protection against damage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wires are nested within the conduit portion that is secured by the conduit adapter. The conduit provides a protective sheath that encloses the wires, shielding them from external damage and corrosion while still allowing them to extend from the plug body for electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit adapter with its sealed interface acts as an intermediary that protects the wire transition zone. It creates a hermetic seal where the wires pass from the plug body through the adapter into the conduit, preventing moisture and debris from damaging the wires at this vulnerable transition point.
4Reliability
If a conduit adapter with threaded surfaces is used, then reliability of sealed connection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit adapter is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides: (1) a sealed interface with the plug body to prevent moisture ingress, (2) a threaded coupling for secure conduit attachment, and (3) a protective transition zone for the wires. This consolidation of multiple functions into one component improves reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A compressor including a shell including an opening; an electrical terminal engaging said opening and including a fence at least partially surrounding a plurality of first electrically conductive members; a plug including a plurality of second electrically conductive members in electrical communication with said first electrically conductive members, the plug including a threaded coupling unitary therewith; a plurality of wires extending from said second electrically conductive members through the threaded coupling; a conduit adapter including a first threaded surface for engagement with the threaded coupling, and a second threaded surface; and a threaded conduit engaging the second threaded surface to allow the plurality of wires to extend from the plug body, through the conduit adapter, and into the threaded conduit.