Electrical connectors – With circuit conductors and safety grounding provision – Direct grounding of coupling part member passing into aperture
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-08
2001-09-25
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With circuit conductors and safety grounding provision
Direct grounding of coupling part member passing into aperture
C439S095000, C439S928000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293811
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to electrical connectors and more particularly to heating elements and connectors matable therewith.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Surface burners used for electric ranges, grills, broilers, and the like typically have an interconnection system that allows the burner to be removed from the range or other equipment for purposes of cleaning, repair, and replacement. The connectors may be used for standard burners having rod-like heating elements, hereinafter referred to as “rod elements”, or may be used for an interchangeable cooking module having rod elements at one end of the module for inserting into the range. In the current accepted industry standard, a tab-like terminal is terminated to the end of a cold rod secured within the end of the rod element, the terminal being insertable into a tab-receiving connector mounted to the frame of the electrical device. Alternatively, the end of the cold rod may be formed into a loop that is insertable into the connector mounted to the stove frame. For purposes of illustrating the invention, the invention will be described with reference to an electric range. It is to be understood that the connector system may be used with heating elements for other electric devices, such as bake and broil elements, dishwashers, clothes dryers, furnaces and the like.
The prior art connector includes a metal shell disposed around a dielectric housing, the shell being connected to a metal frame of the range for purposes of grounding. The terminals or the loops at the ends of the rod elements are typically in the size range of 0.312-0.375 inches wide and from 0.070 to 0.095 inches thick. The dimensions of the shell surrounding the housing are typically on the order of 1.156 inches wide, 1.9 inches deep and about 0.78 inches tall. The opening in the shell is relatively large, thus grease or other contaminants could to get into the connector, causing damage to the terminals and possibly requiring replacement of the connector and/or burner.
It is desirable, therefore, to have a connector system that is smaller, has robust terminals, and is more cost effective to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an assembly of a connection end of an electrical resistance heating element terminating in a pair of side-by-side rod sections and a connector matable therewith. The connector includes a dielectric housing having at least two power terminals disposed in passageways therein, and at least one ground terminal therein, adapted for establishing a ground connection with the heating element. The power terminals are receptacles and each of the ends of the heating element rod sections includes an integral male lead that extends outwardly therefrom. Each lead is dimensioned to be directly connected to a respective receptacle terminal upon insertion into the mating face of the housing. A ground strap is disposed over the heating element rod sections rearwardly of the ends and has a forwardly directed contact extending substantially parallel to the leads. The ground strap contact is adapted to be mated to the ground terminal in the housing. The receptacle terminals are dimensioned to connect directly to conductors of the rod elements, rather than to mating terminals, as in the prior art. The resulting connector has a smaller housing with smaller apertures therein than those found in the prior art thus minimizing the chances of grease or other containments from entering the connector passageways.
The receptacle terminal for use in a range, for example, is dimensioned to receive rod elements within a size range of 14-18 AWG. It is to be understood that the terminals may have other configurations and dimensions to accommodate rod elements of different sizes. The inner surfaces of the receptacle terminal furthermore, include a series of inwardly directed protrusions that assure that the terminal engages the outwardly extending conductor of the rod element at multiple locations. In one embodiment, each receptacle terminal is essentially triangular in shape thus allowing the terminal to accept a range of conductor sizes by expanding outwardly when a larger conductor is received therein.
The connector housing further includes at least one ground terminal electrically connectable to a ground sheath and dimensioned to receive a ground strap that is mounted to the rod element. The ground strap includes a first portion having apertures dimensioned to receive and engage the outer surface of respective ends of a rod element and a forwardly directed contact that extends substantially parallel to the rod element and is dimensioned to engage the ground terminal prior to the rod element engaging the power terminals.
An embodiment will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Aronoff Michael
Bradley Paula
Davis Katrina
The Whitaker Corporation
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