Electronic thermostat having high and low voltage control capability

• US 6,102,749 A
• Filed: 09/10/1997
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Building Technologies Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Lynn, Michael, Morris, Allen, Carper, June R., Perry, Richard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US08/926,884
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 439/709, 439/810-812
• US Class Current: 439/810
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value

Abstract

An electronic thermostat having high and low voltage control capability and varied functional capabilities. The thermostat is particularly suited for use with fan coil heating and cooling units.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for connecting leads located on opposite surfaces of a base unit having a first side and a second side and at least one connector opening with at least a first interior side wall, said connector comprising:

a flexible connector portion having first and second flexible contact arms adjacent one another adapted to receive a lead post of an electric component from said first side;

a terminal lug connector portion electrically connected to said flexible connector portion and configured and arranged to extend through the at least one connector opening and being adapted to provide a connection point to an electrical conductor from the second side; and

clamping means engaged on said terminal lug connector portion for releasably securing said lug connector portion to the base unit, said clamping means including a generally rectangularly shaped tubular clamp member having a first end, a second end and a central opening therein, said lug connector portion extending through the central opening of said rectangularly shaped tubular clamp member adjacent said first end and an adjustable fastener being engaged in said second end, whereby said lug connector portion is configured and arranged to be urged toward the first interior side wall to grip a lead placed therebetween, said lug connector portion having a generally flat connecting tab portion extending through the connector opening to the second side of the base unit for facilitating the soldering of a lead thereto.

2. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said flexible connector portion is integrally formed with said terminal lug connector portion.

3. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said terminal lug connector portion includes mechanical resistance means for preventing a conductor from disengaging from said lug connector portion.

4. The connector as defined in claim 3 wherein said mechanical resistance means includes a plurality of serrations on at least one surface of said lug connector portion adapted to contact said electrical conductor.

5. The connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said adjustable fastener is a screw having an enlarged head that is adapted to contact an adjacent surface of the base unit and move the clamp member and said terminal lug member toward and away from the side wall responsive to selective rotation thereof.

6. An electrical connector for connecting leads located on opposite sides of a base unit having a base clamping surface and a connector opening between the opposite sides thereof, said connector comprising:

a generally "S"-shaped connector member having a connector portion with first and second flexible contact elements extending in an insertion direction located at one end, a terminal lug connector portion at an opposite end, and a neck portion joining said connector portion with said terminal lug connector portion; and

a clamping means engaged on said terminal lug connector portion and configured and arranged for releasably securing said lug connector portion to the base clamping surface of the base unit, said clamping means including a tubular clamp member with a connector opening therein through which said terminal lug connector portion passes, said clamping means being constructed and arranged to engage said lug connector portion at one end, and having an adjustable fastener at an opposite end, said terminal lug connector portion having a generally flat connecting tab portion extending through the connector opening to the second side of the base unit for facilitating the soldering of a lead thereto;

wherein said adjustable fastener is configured and arranged to engage the base unit and selectively move said lug connector portion toward the base clamping surface to grip a lead placed therebetween.

7. The connector as defined in claim 6 wherein said terminal lug connector portion includes a terminal lug with at least one aperture for facilitating a soldered connection.

8. The connector as defined in claim 6 wherein said terminal lug connector portion includes mechanical resistance means for preventing an electrical conductor from disengaging from said lug connector portion.

9. A connector terminal array for use with electrical products of the type which have a base unit with a first surface and a second surface and a first side and a second side, at least one of the first and second sides having a wire channel with a plurality of sockets, a plurality of openings and a plurality of clamping formations, said array comprising:

at least one flexible connector portion having first and second flexible contact elements extending in an insertion direction of a connector post of an electric component located adjacent to the first surface of the base unit, one end of said flexible connector portion being configured for insertion into one of said sockets;

at least one terminal lug connector portion electrically connected to said flexible connector portion and extending opposite said insertion direction for connection to a lead on the second surface of the base unit, each said terminal lug connector portion including a terminal lug configured to pass through at one of said openings to project from said second surface of said base unit; and

,

at least one clamping means engaged on said connector portions for releasably securing said terminal lug to the base unit, said clamping means including a tubular clamp member having an rectangular opening therein and a first end and a second end, said terminal lug being disposed adjacent said first end within said opening, and an adjustable fastener being engaged in said second end, whereby said terminal lug is configured and arranged to be urged toward an interior side wall of said rectangular opening to grip a lead placed therebetween, said terminal lug also being exposed so that a lead can be soldered thereto.