Assembly of electric motor starter components

摘要

Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for assembly of electric motor starter connecting packages that enable increased automation and reduced assembly via top-down assembly of circuit components, thereby allowing robotic placement, connection, and securing of circuit components. The connecting package can include an electric motor starter, with optional overload protector, packaged as one unit. The motor starter can include an electrical circuit containing a triac, current transformer, Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) element, resistor, and a capacitor. A cover and base of the connecting package enclose and firmly secure connected circuit elements without needing a circuit board or filler material. The device design enables quick testing of the motor starter circuit and circuit elements after being enclosed by the housing.

主权项

1. A connecting package for a compressor, the connecting package comprising:
an electric motor starter circuit having circuit elements including a triac, a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) element and terminals for connection to the compressor, where the circuit elements form a circuit by directly joining respective circuit element leads together; a base including a first electric motor starter circuit support structure, the base being configured to receive the circuit elements in a z-axis direction for assembling the electric motor starter circuit on the base; a cover including a second electric motor starter circuit support structure, the cover being configured so as to be coupled to the base; the cover and base when coupled together form an enclosure of the electric motor starter circuit such that the electric motor starter circuit is firmly secured between the first electric motor starter circuit support structure and the second electric motor starter circuit support structure by action of an opposing force from the first and second electric motor starter circuit support structures; wherein the base includes a first overload protector mounting section, and wherein the cover includes a second overload protector mounting section, the connecting package further including an overload protector that is mounted in the overload protector mounting sections of the base and cover; and wherein the PTC element is firmly secured within the enclosure using opposing springs, the opposing springs providing an electrical contact to the electric motor starter circuit, the opposing springs providing sufficient force to assist in fracturing a failed PTC element.