Terminal structure for an automotive AC generator

• US 4,683,390 A
• Filed: 04/09/1986
• Issued: 07/28/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha (Mitsubishi Electric Corporation)
• Inventors: Adachi, Katsumi, Imori, Hideo
• Primary Examiner(s): Salce, Patrick R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REBSCH, DONALD
• Application Number:
  US06/849,872
• Time in Patent Office: 475 Days
• Field of Search: 310/68 D, 310/71, 339/116, 339/154 R, 339/154 A, 339/156, 339/198 R, 339/224, 339/231, 339/232, 339/263
• US Class Current: 310/71
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 11/05 Rectifiers associated with casings, enclosures or brackets
• CPC Class Codes: H02K 5/225 Terminal boxes or connection arrangements specially adapted for submersible motors H02K5/132

Abstract

An improved terminal structure for an automotive AC generator particularly designed to reduce the axial space required for connection with an external member, thereby improving connectability. The generator includes a housing rotatably supporting a rotary shaft thereof, and a rectifier accommodated in the housing and having an output terminal assembly. The output terminal assembly comprises an axial output terminal member disposed axially within the housing and having its one end projected outwardly from the housing in the axial direction, and a radial output terminal member connected at its one end with that end of the axial output terminal member projected from the housing. The radial output terminal member extends radially along the outer peripheral surface of the housing and has its other end extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rotary shaft for connection with an external member.

Claims

1. A terminal structure for an automotive AC generator having a housing rotatably supporting a rotary shaft of the generator and a rectifier accomodated in the housing, said terminal structure comprising an output terminal assembly including an axial output terminal member connected to the rectifier and disposed axially within the housing, said axial output terminal member having one end extending through and projecting outwardly from an outer surface of the housing substantially parallel to the axis of the generator shaft, and a radial output terminal member connected with said one end of said axial output terminal member, said radial output terminal member extending radially adjacent the outer surface of the housing and having a terminal end extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the generator shaft for connection with an external wiring member, and anti-rotation means cooperating with the generator housing for preventing rotation of said radial output terminal member relative to the housing whereby said radial output terminal member is held substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the generator shaft.

2. A terminal structure for an automotive AC generator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said axial output terminal member is threaded at the end projecting from the housing and said radial output terminal member includes an opening for receiving therethrough the threaded end of said axial output terminal member for threaded engagement with a nut.

3. A terminal structure for an automotive AC generator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said radial output terminal member is covered with an insulation layer integrally molded therewith.

4. A terminal structure for an automotive AC generator as set forth in claim 3 further comprising a cap of insulating material attached to the insulation layer of said radial output terminal member for covering the threaded end of said axial output terminal.

6. A terminal structure for an automotive AC generator as set forth in claim 1 wherein the radial output terminal member is covered with an insulation layer integrally moulded therewith.

5. A terminal structure for an automotive AC generator having a housing rotatably supporting a rotary shaft of the generator, and a rectifier accomodated in the housing, said terminal structure comprising an output terminal assembly including an axial output terminal member connected to the rectifier and disposed axially within the housing, said axial output terminal member having one end extending through and projecting outwardly from an outer surface of the housing substantially parallel to the axis of the generator shaft, and a radial output terminal member connected with said one end of said axial output terminal member, said radial output terminal member extending radially adjacent the outer surface of the housing and having a terminal end extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the generator shaft for connection with an external wiring member, said radial output terminal member being covered with an insulation layer integrally molded therewith, and an anti-rotation groove formed in the surface of the housing for preventing rotation of said radial output terminal member relative to the housing.