Pumps – Motor driven – Electric or magnetic motor
Reexamination Certificate
1998-06-03
2001-03-20
Walberg, Teresa (Department: 3742)
Pumps
Motor driven
Electric or magnetic motor
C417S423700, C123S041440, C165S121000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203293
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to electric fan apparatuses, connector connection structures, and intermediate terminals. More particularly, the present invention relates to fan motors used for cooling automobile radiators and cooler condensers.
An automobile engine is typically cooled by a radiator. The radiator is cooled by an electric fan apparatus located near the radiator. The electric fan apparatus includes a fan and a motor for driving the fan. The electric fan apparatus rotates the fan to produce a flow of air for cooling the radiator when the cooling of the radiator becomes insufficient.
The optimal volume of air for cooling the radiator is determined in accordance with the state of the radiator. Therefore, a controller is provided to control the fan motor and adjust the rotating speed of the fan to produce the optimal volume of air.
When assembling the electric fan apparatus, the controller is electrically connected to the fan motor by wires before assembling the motor. The electrically connected portion of the controller and the fan motor must not be exposed to prevent short circuits that may be caused by contact with liquids such as water. However, it is difficult and thus burdensome to connect the controller to the fan motor with wires.
The controller may be connected to the fan motor using a connector instead of the wires. In such case, a plug connector may be provided for the controller and a socket connector may be provided with the fan motor to receive the plug connector. Since the connectors are insert molded, female terminals, which have complicated shapes, are not used. In other words, the plug and socket connectors both employ male terminals. Accordingly, it is necessary that the connectors of the controller and the fan motor can be connected to each other even if both connectors have male terminals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an electric fan apparatus, a connector connection structure, and an intermediate terminal that simplifies the electric connection of connectors having male terminals.
To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides an electric fan apparatus comprising: a fan motor located next to a radiator to rotate a fan for producing air flow that cools the radiator; a controller for controlling the fan motor; a socket connector provided on either one of the fan motor and the controller, the socket connector having a sink for accommodating a male terminal; a plug connector provided on the other one of the fan motor and the controller for engagement with the socket connector, the plug connector having a sink for accommodating a male terminal; and an intermediate terminal for electrically connecting the socket connector male terminal and the plug connector male terminal when the socket connector and the plug connector are engaged with each other, wherein the intermediate terminal has a first female end that is fitted into the male terminal of either one of the connectors and a second female end that is fitted into the male terminal of the other connector.
The present invention further provides a connector connection structure comprising: a socket connector having a sink for accommodating a male terminal; a plug connector for engagement with the socket connector, the plug connector having a sink for accommodating a male terminal; and an intermediate terminal for electrically connecting the socket connector male terminal and the plug connector male terminal when the socket connector and the plug connector are engaged with each other, wherein the intermediate terminal has a first female end that is fitted into the male terminal of either one of the connectors and a second female end that is fitted into the male terminal of the other connector.
The present invention provides an intermediate terminal comprising: female terminal ends each defined by channels, the channels being formed by bending the sides of a metal plate inwardly; a slit extending transversely across each channel to divide the channel into independent sections; and a guide defined on any one of the female ends, the guide being inclined such that the guide serves to direct a male terminal into the corresponding female end.
Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of example the principles of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3771321 (1973-11-01), Maksy
patent: 4311355 (1982-01-01), Plyer
patent: 4441462 (1984-04-01), Budlinski
patent: 4685513 (1987-08-01), Longhouse
patent: 4727274 (1988-02-01), Adam
patent: 4834629 (1989-05-01), Tateishi
patent: 4875871 (1989-10-01), Booty, Sr. et al.
patent: 4891017 (1990-01-01), Kuhn et al.
patent: 4955816 (1990-09-01), Roberts et al.
patent: 5176509 (1993-01-01), Schmider et al.
patent: 5370543 (1994-12-01), Hamada et al.
patent: 5571030 (1996-11-01), Gladd et al.
patent: 5575683 (1996-11-01), Saito et al.
patent: 5660149 (1997-08-01), Lakerdas et al.
patent: 5759050 (1998-06-01), Matsouka et al.
patent: 5823824 (1998-10-01), Mitamura et al.
patent: 5899773 (1999-05-01), Cheng
patent: 5949173 (1999-09-01), Wille et al.
patent: 5993268 (1999-11-01), Yamaguchi
patent: 08296524A (1996-11-01), None
patent: 08312488A (1996-11-01), None
patent: 09261915A (1997-10-01), None
Gotou Masanobu
Hirao Yasunobu
Ishiguro Hideo
Katou Akitada
Niigawa Masatoshi
Asmo Co. Ltd.
Fastovsky Leonid
Kilpatrick & Stockton LLP
Walberg Teresa
LandOfFree
Electric fan apparatus, connector connection structure, and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electric fan apparatus, connector connection structure, and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electric fan apparatus, connector connection structure, and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2538075