Motor Protector Bracket Snap Retention Vibration Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for mounting a motor protector to a compressor motor casing are costly and complex, requiring expensive assembly procedures and insert molded components that can affect response time and are prone to dislodgment due to shock and vibration.

Innovation Solution

An electrically insulating plastic bracket with a snap retaining feature and slot arrangement secures a motor protector to the motor casing using a spring clip, allowing for easy attachment and detachment, and providing thermal coupling and resistance to dislodgment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the motor protector is directly mounted on the motor windings, then the assembly is simple, but the assembly procedure becomes relatively expensive and the compressor housing size cannot be minimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly procedureVSAvoidmounting arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a bracket member as an intermediary component between the motor protector and the motor windings. This bracket provides a mounting surface on the motor housing, allowing the protector to be mounted externally rather than directly on the windings. The bracket acts as a mediator that simplifies the assembly procedure while maintaining a compact design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If an insert molded attachment member is used to mount the motor protector to the casing, then the mounting is secure, but the component cost and assembly operation cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidassembly cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the mounting system into separate functional components: a bracket member that provides structural support and mounting surfaces, and a motor protector that performs its protective function. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler, less expensive processes while maintaining secure mounting through mechanical attachment features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket member is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed. Rather than using costly insert molded attachment members, the bracket provides secure mounting through basic mechanical features that are economical to produce.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If an insert molded component surrounds the motor protector, then the mounting is secure, but the protector's response time is affected and slowed down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidresponse time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the motor protector from within the motor housing and mounts it externally on the housing using the bracket member. This extraction removes the protector from the enclosing insert molded component, allowing it to respond more quickly to motor conditions while maintaining secure mounting through the bracket's mechanical attachment features.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If the motor protector is mounted using conventional methods, then the mounting is secure, but the assembly is prone to dislodgment due to shock and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidshock and vibration resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the motor protector with the bracket member to form an integrated assembly that is then mounted to the motor housing. This combination creates a unified structure that resists dislodgment from shock and vibration, as the bracket provides robust mechanical attachment and the integrated assembly moves as a single unit rather than separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The solution enables economical and reliable assembly of the motor protector, preventing dislodgment under shock and vibration, while maintaining thermal coupling and reducing assembly costs.

Implementation Method 1

spring clip

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

providing thermal coupling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS7622835B2Motor protector attachment system

Publication Date: 2009.11.24 SENSATA TECHNOLOGIES MASSACHUSETTS INC

AI summary

A motor protector receiving bracket (10) is shown for use with a multiphase motor protector having at least two terminal pins (4 and 5). The bracket has a back wall formed with first (12e) and second (12h) slots for receiving respective pin terminals of the protector cradled in the bracket and are formed with features to prevent any movement of the protector relative to the bracket. The bracket is in turn adapted to be attached to a spring clip (14) welded to a motor casing.