Mounting device for a busbar

Abstract

A conductor rail (11) for a motor vehicle, comprising a fastening device (10) for the conductor rail (11), wherein the fastening device comprises a fastening element (12) with a base body (13) and at least one locking means (14) which has a locking lug (15) spaced apart from the base body (13), and a connecting element (17) which can be received between the locking lug (15) and the base body (13) in such a way that it can be fixed in a first of three mutually perpendicular spatial directions (Z) and can be movably mounted in the other two spatial directions (X, Y).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a fastening device for a busbar, particularly in a motor vehicle, comprising a fastening element with a base body and at least one locking element having a locking lug, and a connecting element which can be received between the locking lug and the base body. The invention further relates to a busbar comprising such a fastening device, particularly for arrangement in a motor vehicle.

[0002] High-voltage storage systems, also known as traction batteries or accumulators, are used to provide electrical energy for powering electric vehicles. These traction batteries are typically charged via external charging stations to make energy available for vehicle operation. Within the vehicle, busbars are used, for example, to conduct electrical energy; these busbars contain conductors for carrying current and / or transmitting data.

[0003] For connecting rigid busbars in electrically powered vehicles, brackets are typically necessary to secure them relative to the vehicle. Due to manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion, the connection / mounting area should allow for movement compensation, particularly with regard to predetermined rotational and / or translational movements. Relative movement should be avoided, especially between the bracket and the busbar, to prevent wear on the busbar or conductor.

[0004] DE 10 2017 125 206 A1 relates to a mounting system for attaching a functional insert to a support rail of a busbar system, comprising a locking plate, a retaining plate and a lever, wherein the locking plate can be coupled to the retaining plate on a first main side, so that the locking plate and the retaining plate can be rotated relative to each other about a first axis in order to rotate the locking plate between an open position and a closed position.

[0005] Against this background, an object of the invention is to improve a fastening method for busbars, particularly in a motor vehicle. Specifically, a fastening device for a busbar is to be improved in such a way as to allow for compensation of movement between the busbar and the connection point in the motor vehicle.

[0006] This problem is solved by a busbar having the features of claim 1. The dependent claims relate to advantageous further developments of the invention.

[0007] According to a first aspect, a conductor rail for a motor vehicle is proposed, comprising at least one fastening device as described herein, wherein the fastening device has a fastening element with a base body and at least one locking means, which has a locking lug spaced apart from the base body, and a connecting element which can be received between the locking lug and the base body in such a way that it can be fixed in a first of three mutually perpendicular spatial directions and movably mounted in the other two spatial directions. In other words, the proposed fastening device enables a connection that is translationally fixed in a first spatial direction and translationally movable in two further spatial directions.

[0008] This allows for a particularly rigid or fixed connection in a first direction, for example in the Z-direction parallel to the vehicle's verticals, while simultaneously permitting compensatory movements in a longitudinal and / or transverse direction (X and Y directions). The coordinate system of the three spatial directions (X, Y, Z) may have a different orientation in other embodiments, but the spatial directions are always perpendicular to each other.

[0009] This type of mounting device allows for relative movement within the device itself, specifically between a bracket and the busbar being mounted. The degree of movement permitted within the mounting device can be determined by the distance between its components and adapted to a specific application.

[0010] A busbar is, in particular, a channel that can contain and bundle current-carrying conductors or conductors for signal transmission. For example, such a busbar can form a connection within a vehicle between an interface to an external charging station and the vehicle's energy storage system. Specifically, a busbar can be a high-voltage charging rail for a vehicle that is at least partially electrically powered.

[0011] These busbars can experience temperature changes and thus thermal expansion during operation, which can be at least partially compensated for by one or more of the mounting devices proposed herein. Furthermore, busbars have manufacturing tolerances that, without a means of movement compensation, could lead to stress forces, for example, in the area of ​​a current-carrying contact. Such a means of movement compensation can be provided by the mounting device proposed herein.

[0012] The fastening device essentially comprises two components: the fastening element and the connection element. For example, the fastening element can be configured to be attached to the vehicle or a vehicle component, with the corresponding connection element being or being connected to the busbar to enable the connection between the vehicle and the busbar. Conversely, in other embodiments, the connection element can be configured to be attached to the vehicle and the corresponding fastening element to the busbar.

[0013] For example, the base body of the fastening element can be disc- or ring-shaped and / or have fastening means, for example in the form of one or more tabs or tongues having at least one recess, by means of which the fastening element can be fixed to the motor vehicle or the busbar. In such an embodiment, the connecting element can in particular be firmly or rigidly connected to the busbar, so that a connection of the proposed type can be achieved by connecting or fixing the fastening element relative to the connecting element.

[0014] In an installation situation within a motor vehicle, a conductor rail can be attached by means of a mounting device such that the axis of rotation of the mounting element is parallel to a vehicle vertical, whereby this vehicle vertical can define a Z-direction of a spatial axis system. With respect to the mounting device, whose axis of rotation is parallel to this Z-axis, a plane perpendicular to the Z-axis (X / Y plane) can define a plane of possible degrees of freedom for movement of the connecting element and thus for relative movement between the conductor rail and the motor vehicle.

[0015] In one embodiment, the fastening element and / or the connecting element can be moved into a fixed position by means of a rotational movement about the first spatial axis. This rotational movement can be a relative movement between the fastening element and the connecting element, allowing the connecting element to be moved into the fixed position with respect to the locking means or locking lugs of the locking means. In the fixed position, the connecting element is fixed or positioned, in particular immovably, in the first spatial axis by means of the fastening element. Degrees of freedom in a plane perpendicular to the first spatial axis can be used to compensate for movement of the fastening element relative to the connecting element.

[0016] In one embodiment, the connecting element is essentially disc-shaped. In particular, the connecting element has a circumference that is at least substantially circular and a thickness that facilitates rotational movement, especially within a receiving space defined by locking means for the connecting element. The connecting element can be attached to or fastened to the busbar or a busbar support, particularly in or on its central region, such that a circumferential edge of the connecting element, and in particular a flat side of the connecting element, remains free for engagement with the fastening element.

[0017] In one embodiment, the distance between the base body and the at least one locking lug essentially corresponds to the thickness of the connecting element. This allows contact to be established between the base body of the fastening device on the one hand, the at least one locking lug of the fastening device on the other, and the connecting element by means of the rotational movement, thus enabling a positive-locking connection, particularly in the direction of the first spatial axis.

[0018] In one embodiment, the connecting element has at least one recess. This recess is designed, in particular, to correspond to the geometry of the locking lugs, so that during a fixing movement, especially along the first spatial axis, the connecting element is initially guided past the locking lugs, or the locking lugs are positioned in the recesses, until a fixing action is effected or can be effected by means of the rotational movement. This allows the connecting element to be brought into contact with the base body to enable a subsequent rotational movement without requiring a temporary change in the shape of the locking means or the locking lugs.

[0019] In one embodiment, at least one locking element is arranged on a circumferential edge of the base body. This allows the locking elements to define a receiving space for the connecting element, into which the connecting element can be inserted, particularly by movement along the first spatial axis, before being moved into the fixing position by a rotational movement. The locking lug(s) can be oriented radially inward with respect to the base body or the fastening element to enable a positive-locking connection with the connecting element.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least two, and in particular three, locking elements are arranged evenly distributed on the fastening element. This allows a positive-locking connection, particularly in the direction of the first spatial direction, between the fastening element or locking elements and / or locking lugs and the connecting element at several points, thereby achieving a robust fixation between the fastening element and the connecting element.

[0021] In one embodiment, a circumference defined by the locking means is larger than the outer diameter of the connecting element. This provides a range of motion for the connecting element, particularly on its circumference, between the locking means or webs of the locking means, which are arranged between the locking lug and the fastening device, in order to allow for compensation of movement within the fastening device in a plane perpendicular to the first spatial axis.

[0022] In one embodiment, the mounting device includes a busbar bracket. The busbar bracket can, for example, be designed in two parts, such that a first, at least substantially U-shaped, formwork element is connected to the connection element, and a second, also substantially U-shaped, formwork element can be attached to it to receive the busbar. The formwork elements are designed, particularly together, to completely encircle the busbar and / or fix it relative to the mounting device. This allows, for example, the mounting device to first be attached to the busbar by means of the busbar bracket, in order to be mounted as a whole in the motor vehicle, or the mounting device or...At least part of this can initially be attached to the vehicle, and the busbar can then be subsequently mounted to the mounting device using the busbar bracket. This provides a flexible mounting system for the busbar inside the vehicle, which simultaneously allows for movement compensation in at least one plane and securing it along an axis perpendicular to that plane.

[0023] In one embodiment, the mounting device is arranged at a bend in the busbar. In such an embodiment, the busbar bracket is specifically adapted to the geometry or longitudinal alignment of the busbar or its movement, so that a firm or rigid connection between the busbar bracket, the busbar, and the mounting device or connection element can be achieved.

[0024] Further advantages and application possibilities of the invention will become apparent from the following description in conjunction with the figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a busbar according to the invention with a fastening device in an exploded view. Fig. 2 shows the busbar according to the invention. Fig. 1 in an exemplary fixing position.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a conductor rail 11 for a motor vehicle with a fastening device 10 ug, according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure in an exploded view.

[0026] The fastening device 10 comprises a fastening element 12 with a base body 13 and at least one, or in one of the illustrated embodiments three, locking means 14. The locking means 14 are arranged on a circumferential edge of the base body 13 and are evenly distributed on the fastening element or its base body 13, each locking means 14 having a locking lug 15 oriented towards the center of the base body 13. The locking lugs 15 are spaced apart from the base body 13 by means of a web 16 of the locking means 14.

[0027] Furthermore, the fastening device has a connecting element 17 which can be received between the locking lugs 15 and the base body 13 in such a way that it can be fixed in a first spatial direction Z of three mutually perpendicular spatial directions X, Y, Z and can be movably mounted in the remaining two spatial directions X, Y. For this purpose, the circumference of the connecting element 17 is smaller than a circumference or receiving space defined by the locking means 14. The spatial directions X, Y can, for example, be aligned parallel to a longitudinal and a transverse extension of the busbar 11, with the Z direction being aligned parallel to a vertical extension of the busbar 11.

[0028] The connecting element 17 is essentially disc-shaped and has at least one recess 18 designed to receive a locking lug 15, so that the base body 13 and the connecting element 17 can be brought into contact, particularly over a surface. The distance between the base body 13 and the at least one locking lug 15 corresponds essentially to the thickness of the connecting element 17, thus enabling a positive-locking connection, particularly in the Z-direction or perpendicular to an (X, Y) plane defined by the base body 13.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, a formwork element 21 is connected to the connection element 17 and configured to at least partially encircle and secure the busbar 11. A second formwork element 22 is configured to at least partially encircle the busbar and can be connected to the first formwork element 21 such that the busbar 11 can be secured to the connection element 17 and to the fastening device 10 in a fixed position by means of the busbar support 20 formed by the two formwork elements 21 and 22. In the illustrated embodiment, locking devices 19 are provided on the formwork elements 21 and 22 and on the busbar support 20, respectively.

[0030] For fastening the fastening element 12 or the fastening device 10 inside the motor vehicle, the fastening element 12 has two opposing tabs 25 by means of which a connection, for example by means of a screw connection, can be made possible.

[0031] In Fig. 2 is the exemplary busbar 11 for a motor vehicle, with the fastening device 10 made of Fig. 1 shown in a wireframe representation, with the busbar support 20 gripping the busbar 11 at a bend to hold it.

[0032] The fastening device 10 is shown in a fixing position in which the locking means 14 or their locking lugs 15 engage with holding areas 28 arranged between the recesses 18 of the connecting element 17 in order to fix the connecting element 17 translationally in the first spatial direction Z. Here, the connecting element 17 is fixed between the locking lugs 15 and the base body such that movement in the first direction Z is blocked, but degrees of freedom in the plane in which the connecting element 17 lies, or which is defined by the disk shape of the connecting element 17, are movable.

[0033] The first direction Z is defined by the axis of rotation of fastening element 12 and connecting element 17, the other two spatial directions X, Y are each perpendicular to the first direction Z and to each other.

[0034] The tabs 25 for fastening are shown as examples in this illustration at other locations on the fastening element 12 or the base body 13. REFERENCE MARK LIST 10 Mounting device 11 Power rail 12 Fastening element 13 basic shapes 14 Resting agents 15 Rastnase 16 Bridge 17 Connection element 18 recess 19 Resting device 20 busbar brackets 21, 22 Formwork element 25 tabs 28 stopping area X, Y, Z spatial direction

Claims

[1] A conductor rail (11) for a motor vehicle, comprising a fastening device (10) for the conductor rail (11), wherein the fastening device comprises a fastening element (12) with a base body (13) and at least one locking means (14) which has a locking lug (15) spaced apart from the base body (13), and a connecting element (17) which can be received between the locking lug (15) and the base body (13) in such a way that it can be fixed in a first of three mutually perpendicular spatial directions (Z) and can be movably mounted in the other two spatial directions (X, Y). [2] Busbar (11) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element (12) and / or the connection element (17) can be brought into a fixing position by means of a rotational movement about the first spatial axis (Z). [3] Busbar (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (17) is essentially disc-shaped. [4] Busbar (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the base body (13) and the at least one locking lug (15) corresponds substantially to the thickness of the connecting element (17). [5] Busbar (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting element (17) has at least one recess (18). [6] Current rail (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one locking means (14) is arranged on a circumferential edge of the base body (13). [7] Busbar (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least two, in particular three, locking means (14) are arranged evenly distributed on the fastening element (12). [8] Busbar (11) according to claim 7, wherein a circumference defined by the locking means (14) is larger than an outer diameter of the connection element (17). [9] Busbar (11) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening device (10) has a busbar holder (20). [10] Busbar (11) according to claim 9, wherein the fastening device (10) is arranged on a bend of the busbar (11).

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