Electrical component assembly

• US 20050215116A1
• Filed: 03/15/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Herzog, Richard R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,241,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/605
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5219 Sealing means between coupling parts, e.g. interfacial seal
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5227 with evacuation of penetrating liquids
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/74 Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 33/225 secured to structure or printed circuit board
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/72 using a heat shrinking insulating sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/918 Multilamp vehicle panel

Abstract

An electrical assembly for mounting an electrical device, such as a lamp socket, in an appliance has first and second components on opposite sides of a wall of the appliance. The first component is attached to the wall and closes a hole through the wall on a first side thereof. The second component is attached to the first component and closes the hole on an opposite side of the wall. Complementary quick connect electrical terminals are provided in the first and second components whereby electrical connection is established as the first and second components are attached one to the other.

Claims

1. An assembly for holding an electrical component in a wall having a hole, said assembly comprising:

a first component configured for attachment to the wall on one side of the wall;

a peripheral skirt surrounding said first component for engaging the wall and covering the hole on one side of the wall;

a boss in said first component for receiving an electrical terminal, said boss being open to an opposite side of the wall;

a second component including a base configured for attachment to the first component and for holding a complementary electrical terminal for electrically coupling with said first mentioned terminal; and

a second component skirt for engaging the wall on a side opposite the side engaged by said skirt of said first component.

2. The assembly of claim 1, said base having a weep hole for conducting moisture away from said electrical terminals.

3. The assembly of claim 1, said first component having a latch and said second component defining an aperture for receiving and engaging said latch for securing said second component to said first component.

4. The assembly of claim 3, said base having baffles on opposite sides of said aperture and a weep hole in flow communication with a space between said baffles.

5. The assembly of claim 3, said latch including a tapered distal end and a lip for compressively securing said second component against the wall.

6. The assembly of claim 1, said first component having first and second terminal bosses with female terminals therein, and wires leading from said female terminals out of said first and second terminal bosses.

7. The assembly of claim 6, said terminal bosses have a seal protecting said female terminals, with said wires extending through said seal.

8. The assembly of claim 7, said seal including resin material in said bosses.

9. The assembly of claim 7, said seal including a shrink sleeve.

10. The assembly of claim 7, said seal being a cap.

11. The assembly of claim 1, said first component including a twist lock configuration for attaching said first component to the wall.

12. The assembly of claim 1, said boss having an external trough for capturing and directing moisture.

14. An electrical component assembly for an appliance having a wall defining a hole, said assembly comprising:

a first component structured to attach to the wall and to cover the hole from one side of the wall;

a second component structured to attach to the first component and to cover the hole from a second side of the wall; and

said first and second components having complementary fixed position electrical terminals that plug one into the other as said second component is attached to said first component.

13. The assembly of claim 15, said boss having a ledge for engaging the terminal.

15. The assembly of claim 14, said second component including a lamp socket.

16. The assembly of claim 14, said first component having tabs rotated to engage the wall.

17. The assembly of claim 14, said first component having first and second terminal bosses and terminals therein with wires leading therefrom, and a seal for said terminals in said bosses, with said wires extending through said seal.

18. The assembly of claim 17, said seal including potting material in said terminal bosses.

19. The assembly of claim 17, said seal including a shrink sleeve.

20. The assembly of claim 17, said seal being a cap.

21. The assembly of claim 17, said terminal bosses having external troughs for capturing and directing moisture.

22. The assembly of claim 17, said terminals having deflectable locking tabs, and said bosses defining internal ledges for engaging said locking tabs.

23. The assembly of claim 14, said second component including a base with baffles for directing moisture away from said electrical terminals.

24. The assembly of claim 14, said first and second components including interlocking structures for securing said second component to said first component.

25. A method for installing an electrical device in an appliance wall defining a hole, said method comprising steps of:

inserting a first component into the hole from one side of the wall attaching the first component to the wall;

positioning an electrical wire having a terminal thereon in substantially fixed position relative to the first component;

obtaining a second component having the electrical device therein and a substantially fixed position electrical terminal electrically connected to the device;

attaching the second component to the first component from an opposite side of the wall; and

plugging one said terminal into the other said terminal simultaneously with said step of attaching the second component to the first component.