Spring-Biased Terminal Plug for Hermetic Compressor Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connections in hermetically sealed compressors face challenges in maintaining a secure, waterproof, and resilient electrical connection, especially under conditions of vibration, due to the need for power supply to the motor within the sealed shell.
Innovation Solution
A terminal housing with a spring-biased terminal plug system that maintains an electric connection within the sealed compressor shell, utilizing a grommet for a fluid-tight seal and a cover plate to secure the terminal plug, ensuring reliable power supply to the motor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid electrical connection is used in the sealed compressor shell, then electrical connection stability is improved, but the connection becomes vulnerable to vibration and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mechanical parameter of the electrical connection from rigid to flexible by introducing a spring element. This flexible connection maintains reliable electrical contact while accommodating vibration and mechanical stress, resolving the contradiction between connection stability and vibration resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static rigid connection into a dynamic flexible connection that can adapt to changing mechanical conditions. The spring-loaded terminal plug dynamically adjusts to maintain optimal contact pressure, ensuring reliable electrical connection under varying vibration and stress conditions.
2Reliability
If the shell is hermetically sealed to prevent refrigerant leakage, then sealing performance is improved, but electrical connection and power supply become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electrical connection system into two distinct parts: a sealed terminal housing containing the spring-loaded terminal plug, and the hermetically sealed compressor shell. This segmentation allows the terminal housing to provide both sealing and flexible electrical connection functions, while the compressor shell maintains its hermetic seal, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing performance and electrical connection ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal housing acts as an intermediary component between the external power source and the motor inside the hermetically sealed compressor shell. It provides a fluid-tight seal while facilitating electrical connection, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining hermetic seal and enabling electrical power supply.
3Ease of manufacture
If a flexible cable connection is used to supply power to the motor, then ease of installation is improved, but waterproofing and leak-proof performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of electrical connection and fluid sealing into a single integrated terminal housing assembly. The housing encloses the flexible terminal plug connection while providing a fluid-tight seal, thus combining the installation ease of flexible connections with the waterproofing performance of sealed systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal housing serves as an intermediary that isolates the flexible cable connection from the refrigerant environment. It allows flexible connection for ease of installation while maintaining waterproofing performance by preventing refrigerant contact with the flexible cable components.
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 provides a reliable, waterproof, and vibration-resistant electrical connection within the sealed compressor, ensuring consistent power supply to the motor while preventing fluid leakage.
Implementation Method 1
A spring extends from the terminal plug, and reacts against a surface of the cover to bias the terminal plug to maintain the electric connection
Data Source
AI summary
A sealed compressor has an electric motor driving a compressor pump unit, and a shell enclosing the electric motor and compressor pump unit. An electrical connector with the shell supplies electrical power to the motor. A terminal housing is mounted to an outer surface of the shell, and a terminal plug is received within the terminal housing. The terminal plug has electric connections to connect into the electric connector within the shell. The housing includes a cover plate enclosing a chamber for the housing and which receives the terminal plug. A spring extends from the terminal plug, and reacts against a surface of the cover to bias the terminal plug to maintain the electric connection between the terminal plug and the electrical connector in the shell.