This application relates to an electric terminal which provides a secure connection to an electric motor within a hermetically sealed compressor.
Compressors are known and typically include a motor driving a compressor pump unit within a sealed shell. The shell is typically sealed, as refrigerant circulates within the shell to cool the motor. Even though the shell is sealed, an electric connection must still extend into the shell to supply power to the motor.
The connection must be waterproof, leak proof, and further must be resilient enough to maintain a good electrical connection, even when vibration or other challenges are encountered.
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 within 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.
These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, of which the following is a brief description.
A cable 30 plugs into an end of the terminal connection 31 outwardly of the housing 42. A hole 33 allows the terminal plug 31 to exit the housing. A cover 46 is shown bolted at 200 to the housing at an ear 204 and holes 202 in cover 46.
A grommet 32 provides a fluid tight seal between the housing 42 and the shell 26. As shown, the grommet 32 has ears 44 sitting outwardly of an end of the housing 42, and an end 36 which seals against the shell 26.
As shown in this Figure, a spring 50 is schematically biasing the terminal plug 46 to maintain the connection between connector 28 and pin 29.
The
The cable is shown schematically, however, details are better disclosed in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed on even date herewith, and entitled “Terminal Connection for Sealed Compressor.” The sealing grommet is better disclosed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. ______, filed on even date herewith, and entitled “Sealing Grommet For Connection Between Terminal Box And Interior Of Sealed Compressor.”
Although embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.