CLUSTER ASSEMBLY WITH INTEGRAL CAP

Abstract: A cluster block (10) having three receptacles (15-17) and flag-type connector clips (25) disposed in the receptacles. The clips have V-shaped shanks (27). An integral cap (11) is pivoted to the cluster block and has a tab (30) adapted to project into the V-shaped shank of at least one of the connector clips to stabilize it.

Description: Cluster Assembly With Integral Cap This invention relates to a cluster assembly constituted by an insulative block and a plurality of flag-type connector clips disposed in the block in spaced relation to each other, the assembly being adapted to be applied to a plurality of spades on the header of a hermetically-sealed compressor. Cluster assemblies of this type have princi¬ pal application to a hermetically-sealed compressor for use in refrigeration and air conditioning. The compressor consists of a hermetically-sealed housing within which is contained a compressor and a motor for driving the compressor. A glass-to-metal seal or header is fixed in the housing wall and provides three conductive pins extending from the inside to the outside of the housing wall. The pins on the inside of the wall have spades welded to them to which electrical connection is made to supply power to the motor within the housing. A cluster assembly comprises an insulative block or housing having three connector clips mounted within the block with the clip leads projecting from the block. In practice, the cluster assembly is shipped to a motor manufacturer and the leads project¬ ing from the cluster assembly are connected to the three input leads of the motor. The motor with leads attached is shipped to a compressor manufacturer where the motor is assembled in the compressor unit and the cluster assembly is applied to the three terminal spades on the interior of the compressor housing. During the assembly process, the cluster assembly may be applied to the spades a number of times, for example, at various testing stages and, of course, on the compressor unit itself. Thus, it is of primary importance that the cluster assembly have a high degree of reliability to be able to withstand the rigors of the assembly process. The known cluster block to which the present invention, is directed is generally triangular in shape and has three receptacles into which flag-type clips are disposed. The clips are of the type shown in Patent No. 3,222,633 and have a V-shaped shank. In the cluster block, two of the receptacles have walls that project into the V-shaped shank to stabilize the clip within the block. In the third receptacle, the orientation of the clip is reversed so that its lead projects generally in the same direction as the leads in the other two receptacles. There can be no wall, in the cluster block, for stabilizing that receptacle. The clip is therefore susceptible to cocking when applied to a spade and that cocking could distort the clip and impair its ability to make satisfactory contact with a spade. The clips of the prior connector block are held in the block by a cap which is fastened to the block by a rivet. It has been an objective of the present invention to provide an improved snap-on cap for the cluster block and to provide for the stabilizing of the loose connector clip within the cluster block. This objective of the invention is attained by providing a cap that is pivoted to and integral with the cluster block. The cap has a detent project¬ ing from its surface. The cluster block has a detent-receiving hole that holds the ' cap in position on the cluster block overlying the clips within their respective receptacles. The cap also has a tab that projects into the receptacle that contains the clip with the upwardly-facing V-shaped shank. When the cap is' in position, the tab enters the V-shaped shank and stabilizes it against twisting when applied to a spade. The several features and objectives of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a partially broken away schematic isometric view of the invention of this application; Fig. 2 is a plan view, with the cap opened, of the invention; Fig. 3 is a side-elevational view, with the cap opened, of the invention; . Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Fig. 2. Referring to the drawings, a cluster block 10 has a cap 11 molded integrally to it along a hinge 12. The block has three receptacles 15, 16, and 17. • Receptacles 15 and 16 have transverse walls 20. Receptacle 17 has no transverse wall. The receptacles 15-17 receive connector clips 25. Each connector clip has a receptacle 26 to receive a spade 3i, a V-shaped shank 27 and a ferrule portion 28 for gripping a lead wire 29. The clips 25 in the receptacles 15 and 16 have their V-shaped. shanks facing downwardly and overlying the transverse walls 20. The clip in receptacle 17 is oppositely- disposed and has its V-shaped shank opening upwardly. That permits its lead wire 29 to project in generally the same direction as the lead wires 29 of the clips in receptacles 15 and 16. The cap 11 has a tab 30 that projects into the V-shaped shank when the cap is closed upon the block 12. The tab 30 is tapered to conform generally to the angle of the V-shaped shank 27. When the tab 30 projects into the shank 27, it stabilizes the clip and prevents it from rocking when the clip is applied to a spade 31 of a header 32. While the tab 30 is shown on the preferred form wherein the cap 11 is hinged to the block 10, it is to be understood that the tab could be formed on the separate, riveted cap and would function to keep the clip from rocking. The cap also has a pair of detents 35 that cooperate with holes 36 in the block to secure the cap in position. Each- detent consists of a pair of flexible elements 38 having shoulders 39. Those flexible elements squeeze together when the detents are forced into the holes 36. The holes 36 themselves have shoulders 40 that cooperate with the shoulders 39 on the detents to lock the cap in position once it has been snapped into position on the cluster block. From the above disclosure of the general principles of the present invention and the preceding detailed description of a preferred embodiment, those skilled in the art will readily comprehend the various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible. Therefore, we desire to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims: -6- What is claimed is: 1. . A cluster assembly comprising, a cluster block having three receptacles, three connector clips disposed in said receptacles, a cap pivoted to and integral with said block, at least one detent projecting from the surface of said cap, said block having a hole to receive said detent to secure said cap over said connector clips to retain them within said block. 2 , A cluster block as in claim 1 in which at least one of said clips has a spade-receiving recep¬ tacle connected to a V-shaped shank, said V-shaped shank opening toward said cap, said cap having an integral tab projecting from its surface and extending into said V-shaped shank to stabilize said clip in said receptacle. -7- 3. A cluster assembly comprising: a cluster block having three receptacles, three connector clips disposed in said receptacles, a cap mounted on said block overlying said receptacles and clip, at least one of said clips having a V-shaped shank that opens toward said cap, said cap having an integral tab projecting from its surface and extending into said V-shaped • shank to stabilize said clip in said receptacle. 4. A cluster assembly as in claim 3 in which said tab is tapered to conform to the angle of said V-shaped shank.

Inventors: HEIMBROCK HENRY H, HILL JOHN, HEIMBROCK, HENRY, H., HILL, JOHN
Applicants: STANDEX INT CORP, STANDEX INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H01R13
IPC codes: H01R13