IP Library Granted Patent US 11,613,159
Granted Patent B2
US 11,613,159 · App. 16/863,172 · Granted Mar 28, 2023

Power protection system for a power module of a transport climate control system

Inventors: Shawn Alan Schemmel (Prior Lake, MN); Diarmaid Thomas Bucke (Patrickswell, IE); Niall Lynch (Galway, IE)
Assignee: Thermo King LLC
B60H1/00535B60H1/00428B60H1/00642B60L1/003B60L1/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,613,159
App. No.
16/863,172
Granted
Mar 28, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A power module for a transport climate control system that supplies power to a plurality of components of the transport climate control system is provided. The power module includes a power module housing, a power terminal, and a power protection shroud. The power terminal extends through an external surface of the power module housing. The power protection shroud extends from the external surface of the power module housing. The power protection shroud includes a curved wall having a horseshoe shape that surrounds the power terminal.

Claims (40)

1. A power module for a transport climate control system that supplies power to a plurality of components of the transport climate control system, the power module comprising:

a power module housing;

a power terminal extending through an external surface of the power module housing;

a power protection shroud extending from the external surface of the power module housing, wherein the power protection shroud includes a curved wall having a horseshoe shape that surrounds the power terminal;

an input/output connector extending from the external surface of the power module housing, wherein the input/output connector includes a tab disposed along a connector surface of the input/output connector, and wherein the connector surface is perpendicular to the external surface; and

an indentation channel extending through the external surface, wherein the indentation channel extends from a bottom edge of the connector surface below the tab to a side of the power module housing, and wherein a width of the indentation channel is configured to allow a finger to access the input/output connector to add or remove a connection to the input/output connector,

wherein the curved wall of the power protection shroud includes a curved portion with a top edge, a first edge extending from a first end of the top edge to the external surface of the power module housing, and a second edge extending from a second end of the top edge to the external surface of the power module housing,

wherein the first edge is a first beveled edge that tapers from the top edge of the curved portion towards the external surface of the power module housing, and

wherein the second edge is a second beveled edge that tapers from top edge of the curved portion towards the external surface of the power module housing, wherein the second edge faces the first edge.

2. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the curved wall forming the horseshoe shape of the power protection shroud defines a cavity from which the power terminal extends within, and

wherein the curved wall forming the horseshoe shape of the power protection shroud defines a gap between the first edge and the second edge that is configured to limit the number of power terminal connectors connected to the power terminal.

3. The power module of claim 1 , further comprising a second power terminal extending through the external surface of the power module housing; and

a second power protection shroud extending from the external surface of the power module housing, wherein the second power protection shroud has the horseshoe shape that surrounds the second power terminal.

4. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the power protection shroud prevents more than three power terminal connectors from connecting to the power terminal.

5. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the power protection shroud prevents more than two power terminal connectors from connecting to the power terminal.

6. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the power terminal has a cylindrical pin shape.

7. A transport climate control system that provides climate control within a climate controlled space of a transport unit, the transport climate control system comprising:

a climate control circuit that includes a compressor that compresses a working fluid passing through the climate control circuit for providing climate control within the climate controlled space of the transport unit;

a transport climate control system controller that controls operation of the transport climate control system including the compressor;

a power module that that supplies power to a plurality of components of the transport climate control system, the power module including:

a power module housing;

a power terminal extending through an external surface of the power module housing;

a power protection shroud extending from the external surface of the power module housing, wherein the power protection shroud includes a curved wall having a horseshoe shape that surrounds the power terminal

an input/output connector extending from the external surface of the power module housing, wherein the input/output connector includes a tab disposed along a connector surface of the input/output connector, and wherein the connector surface is perpendicular to the external surface; and

an indentation channel extending through the external surface, wherein the indentation channel extends from a bottom edge of the connector surface below the tab to a side of the power module housing, and wherein a width of the indentation channel is configured to allow a finger to access the input/output connector to add or remove a connection to the input/output connector,

wherein the curved wall of the power protection shroud includes a curved portion with a top edge, a first edge extending from a first end of the top edge to the external surface of the power module housing, and a second edge extending from a second end of the top edge to the external surface of the power module housing,

wherein the first edge is a first beveled edge that tapers from the top edge of the curved portion towards the external surface of the power module housing, and

wherein the second edge is a second beveled edge that tapers from top edge of the curved portion towards the external surface of the power module housing, wherein the second edge faces the first edge.

8. The transport climate control system of claim 7 , wherein the curved wall of the horseshoe shape of the power protection shroud defines a cavity from which the power terminal extends within, and

wherein the curved wall of the horseshoe shape of the power protection shroud defines a gap between the first edge and the second edge that is configured to limit the number of power terminal connectors connected to the power terminal.

9. The transport climate control system of claim 7 , further comprising a second power terminal extending through the external surface of the power module housing; and

a second power protection shroud extending from the external surface of the power module housing, wherein the second power protection shroud has the horseshoe shape that surrounds the second power terminal.

10. The transport climate control system of claim 7 , wherein the power protection shroud prevents more than three power terminal connectors from connecting to the power terminal.

11. The transport climate control system of claim 7 , wherein the power protection shroud prevents more than two power terminal connectors from connecting to the power terminal.

12. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the power terminal is configured to allow conditioned power to be supplied to various components.

13. The transport climate control system of claim 7 , wherein the power terminal is configured to allow conditioned power to be supplied to various components.

14. The power module of claim 1 , wherein the height of the power terminal is configured to prevent more than three power terminal connectors from connecting to the power terminal.

15. The transport climate control system of claim 7 , wherein the height of the power terminal is configured to prevent more than three power terminal connectors from connecting to the power terminal.

16. The power module of claim 1 , further comprising a security buzzer cover configured to cover and protect a speaker, wherein the security buzzer cover is securely attached to the external surface, wherein the security buzzer cover is configured to prevent water ingress to the speaker, and wherein the security buzzer cover is configured to be tamper resistant that can prevent a needle being used to break the speaker.

17. The transport climate control system of claim 7 , wherein the power module further includes a security buzzer cover configured to cover and protect a speaker, wherein the security buzzer cover is securely attached to the external surface, wherein the security buzzer cover is configured to prevent water ingress to the speaker, and wherein the security buzzer cover is configured to be tamper resistant that can prevent a needle being used to break the speaker.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 9, 2023
From: THERMO KING CORPORATION
To: THERMO KING LLC
Reel/Frame 062688/0699 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2023
From: SCHEMMEL, SHAWN ALAN; BUCKE, DIARMAID THOMAS; LYNCH, NIALL
To: THERMO KING CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 062616/0458 →
Continuity (1)
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