Compressor Sealed Terminals Triangular Plate Configuration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional compressors face challenges in managing increased compression load and temperature rise during energization, leading to difficulties in securely connecting power lines to sealed terminals without applying excessive bending stress and ensuring efficient manufacturing connections.

Innovation Solution

The compressor design features a pair of sealed terminals with three plate-shaped terminals arranged in a triangular configuration, accompanied by terminal blocks that separate power lines, allowing for secure screwing and efficient connection without excessive stress, and includes a refrigeration cycle apparatus with a radiator, expansion device, and heat absorber for refrigerant circulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If Faston terminals are used to connect power lines to sealed terminals, then the connection is simple and quick, but the terminals cannot cope with the temperature rise at the time of energization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection simplicityVSAvoidterminal temperature rise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the terminal connection type from Faston terminals to plate-shaped terminals with screw fastening. This parameter change allows for larger contact area and better heat dissipation, enabling the terminals to cope with temperature rise during energization while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs standard plate-shaped terminals and screw fasteners that are readily available and can be easily replaced if needed. These components are designed to handle thermal stress without requiring specialized expensive materials, maintaining cost-effectiveness while improving temperature resistance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If multiple terminal blocks are arranged side by side for each sealed terminal, then each terminal can be securely connected, but the arrangement becomes difficult without interference and workability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidworkability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple terminal blocks into a single integrated terminal block structure. This unified design allows all terminal connections to be made through one component rather than arranging multiple separate terminal blocks side by side, eliminating interference issues while maintaining secure connections and improving workability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal block is designed with multi-functionality to handle all terminal connections within a single structure. It provides multiple connection points and routing paths that can accommodate all sealed terminals without requiring separate dedicated terminal blocks for each connection, thereby simplifying the overall arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If power lines are routed through multiple sealed terminals and terminal blocks, then electrical connections are established, but excessive bending stress is applied to the power lines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidpower line durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary routing structure within the terminal block that provides smooth transition paths for power lines. This intermediary design allows power lines to change direction gradually rather than through sharp bends, reducing bending stress while maintaining reliable electrical connections between sealed terminals and external circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal block is designed with built-in stress relief features and adequate routing space that cushion the power lines against excessive bending stress. This beforehand cushioning prevents durability issues by accommodating natural line movement and thermal expansion without creating stress concentration points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentEP4119796B1Compressor and refrigeration cycle apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.12.25 CARRIER JAPAN CORP
  • EP4119796B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4119796B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4119796B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A compressor (2) includes: an airtight container (11); a compression mechanism (13) accommodated in the airtight container (11); a motor (12) including a cylindrical stator (31) fixed to an inner surface of the airtight container (11) and a rotor (32) disposed inside the stator (31) to generate rotational driving force of the compression mechanism (13); and a pair of sealed terminals (18, 19) arranged in the airtight container (11). Three first plate-shaped terminals (75) of each sealed terminal (18, 19) are aligned with each side of a triangle (D) and faces each other on the front surface (75f) so as to form the triangle (D) across the three first plate-shaped terminals. One of corners (Co) of the triangle (D1) formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals (75) of one of the sealed terminals (18, 19) faces one of corners (Co) of the triangle (D1) formed by the three first plate-shaped terminals (75) of another of the sealed terminals (18, 19).