Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Electrolytic systems or devices – Solid electrolytic capacitor
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-05
2001-07-31
Dinkins, Anthony (Department: 2831)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Electrolytic systems or devices
Solid electrolytic capacitor
C361S306100, C361S328000, C361S541000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06268996
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a capacitor terminal for an electrolyte power capacitor, with which the capacitor can be mechanically and electrically connected to a fastening part and/or electric conductors.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Conventional capacitors, in particular electrolyte power capacitors, are provided with terminals to be screwed or soldered. Each capacitor thus has at least two screw-type terminals or solder lug terminals provided for the electric terminal poles.
Typically electric connections to a capacitor bank composed of multiple capacitors and to semiconductor power circuit-breakers are created by using a connection strip commonly known as a busbar. The busbar is bolted to the capacitor terminals and the terminals of the semiconductor power circuit-breakers. Tensile and/or compressive forces occur because the individual components are not at the same height because of different tolerances. These forces are harmful, because only low-force loading is allowed at the terminals of these components. To increase the efficiency, capacitors are connected mechanically and essentially rigidly to a heat sink at the bottom of the can and are often mounted on it. If multiple capacitors are rigidly mounted on the same heat sink to create a capacitor bank, the problems mentioned above with the tolerances at the capacitor terminals occur to a greater extent. In addition, it is generally very time-consuming and thus cost-intensive to attach the screw connections or solder the terminals in the final assembly of such capacitor banks.
SUMMARY
The capacitor terminal according to the present invention, has the advantage that the special design of the terminals on the capacitor forms the basis for a simple tolerance-equalizing plug connection that prevents harmful force loads on the terminals.
For implementation of the present invention, the capacitor terminal on the capacitor itself may be designed as a contact stud with a relatively long, smooth contact area.
In an example embodiment of the present invention, the contact stud is in the form of a cylinder having a round or oval cross section or a rectangular tube connector, in particular a square connector.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the contact stud has a thickened area on its side facing away from the capacitor. This prevents the capacitor from slipping out of its plug connection even more effectively.
In one example embodiment according to the present invention, the part accommodating the contact stud is composed of a contact spring accommodating the contact stud with simultaneous mechanical fixation and attachment to establish the electric contact. The contact spring is attached to a carrying part. This completes a simple and tolerance-equalizing plug connection.
In an especially advantageous embodiment of this part of the capacitor terminal, the contact spring is designed in a ring shape and surrounds the contact stud on all sides. As an alternative, the contact spring provided for a contact stud may be composed of multiple component springs, each coming to lie on a sector of the contact area of the contact stud. The choice of which type is most suitable will be determined by the requirements of the given application.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the contact spring and/or the component springs have slightly bent shape, in particular a C-shape, in the contact area as seen from the side. This greatly facilitates insertion of the contact stud of the capacitor into the respective contact springs while also ensuring a reliable electric contact.
According to advantageous embodiments of the present invention, the contact spring and/or the component springs forming it are connected to different conductor parts of a connection strip, in particular a busbar, in accordance with the respective electric terminals. Multiple capacitors may be fixedly connected to one connection strip in an advantageous manner.
In an advantageous manner, the present invention permits the tolerance-equalizing construction of a capacitor bank composed of multiple capacitors whose capacitor terminal is designed according to the present invention, and where the capacitors are rigidly connected to a common heat sink at the bottom of each can, in particular by using clamp or screw connections.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1826869 (1931-10-01), Everett
patent: 3619478 (1971-11-01), Staiger
patent: 5493471 (1996-02-01), Walther et al.
patent: 5926357 (1999-07-01), Elias et al.
patent: 5953201 (1999-09-01), Jakoubovitch
patent: 19 15 780 (1970-10-01), None
patent: 44 39 272 (1996-05-01), None
patent: 0 450 122 (1991-10-01), None
Dinkins Anthony
Kenyon & Kenyon
Robert & Bosch GmbH
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