Electricity: conductors and insulators – Insulators – Special application
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-05
2001-04-24
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Insulators
Special application
C174S151000, C174S15300A, C174S157000, C219S459100, C219S541000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06222133
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a one-piece ceramic terminal insulator for use in mounting an electrical connecting terminal through a support wall of an apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a ceramic terminal insulator mounting arrangement for use with a heating assembly in a clothes dryer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the manufacture of heating assemblies for use in clothes dryers, it is common practice to mount a helical coil on insulators relative to a heating housing. Electrical connection of electrical energy to the heating coils is typically provided through a terminal assembly mounted in a sidewall of the heater housing comprising an electrical connector terminal and an insulator.
One such terminal assembly is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,623,126 issued to Jimmy L. Sherrill on Apr. 22, 1997. This patent teaches a two piece ceramic insulator comprising male and female parts which cooperate with a relatively flat or blade like terminal connector passing through the male and female members. This two piece ceramic insulator requires the assembly of the two parts relative to the supporting wall and must be held in place while a relatively flat connector terminal blade is passed through a center aperture in the male and female parts. The flat terminal blade has tabs which engage the female portion of the ceramic insulator to limit the travel of the blade terminal through the ceramic insulator. The other end of the terminal blade must be bent in order to maintain the male and female insulator members in mating relationship. This insulator is difficult to assemble because it requires holding the male and female members together while the terminal blade is passed through the insulators. Further, the terminal blade is crimped onto the end of a regular terminal. Accordingly, a disadvantage associated with this ceramic terminal insulator assembly is that it is difficult and labour intensive to assemble through the supporting wall of the heater assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a one-piece ceramic terminal assembly which is readily mounted through a supporting wall of a heater housing.
The present invention relates to a terminal assembly comprising a one-piece ceramic insulator for mounting an electrical conductor therethrough and relative to a support wall of a heater housing. The insulator has a central block extending along a longitudinal axis and between first and second ends thereof. The central block has a passageway extending through its center between the first and second ends for receiving the electrical conductor. The central block passes through a first aperture in the supporting wall and has a diameter less than the diameter of a central opening in the first aperture. The first aperture has at least one slot extending outward from the central aperture. The insulator includes at least a first wing extending out from the central block adjacent the first end a first distance greater than the diameter of the central opening of the first aperture and less than the at least one slot to permit the passage of the first wing through the first aperture. The insulator includes a second wing extending out from the central block adjacent the second end spaced axially and readily offset of the central block from the first opposing first wing. The second wing is larger than the at least one slot in the supporting wall so as to engage a second opposing side of the supporting wall and prevent the second wing from passing through the first aperture.
Advantage is found with the present invention in that a one-piece insulator does not have to be assembled and can be passed through a supporting wall aperture and rotated such that the first and second wings axially spaced along the central block of the insulator are rotated into engagement with opposing side surfaces of the supporting wall. Such a one-piece ceramic insulator is easy to assemble within the heating assembly. The electrical conductor may be a relatively flat blade member that passes through the passageway in the ceramic insulator.
Another aspect of the one-piece ceramic insulator of the present invention is that the central block may have concave surfaces extending from the first end to the second end of the central block between the first and second wings to define an air gap passageway between the central block and the aperture in the supporting sidewall. This gap allows air to be drawn in across the ceramic insulator towards the heating elements and thereby cool the ceramic insulator and prevent it from overheating due to the passage of electrical current through the electrical conductor.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3708612 (1973-01-01), Saxon et al.
patent: 4182928 (1980-01-01), Murphy et al.
patent: 4653708 (1987-03-01), Rich
patent: 4656340 (1987-04-01), St. Louis
patent: 4994654 (1991-02-01), St. Louis
patent: 5134270 (1992-07-01), Bragg et al.
patent: 5621370 (1997-04-01), St. Louis
patent: 5623126 (1997-04-01), Sherrill
patent: 5935471 (1999-08-01), St. Louis
patent: 6002116 (1999-12-01), St. Louis
Camco Inc.
Nguyen Charlie
Reichard Dean A.
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