Interconnection device for a rotating electrical machine of a motor vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to an interconnection device (1) for a rotating electrical machine (100), the device (1) being intended to provide an electrical connection between a stator (2) comprising coils (20a, 20b, 20c) and an electronic power supply and control module, the interconnection device (1) comprising an insulator (5) and a plurality of connection members (400a, 400b, 400c) arranged on the outside of the insulator (5), each connection member (400a, 400b, 400c) comprising a body (40) and a connection tongue (41) to at least one coil (20a, 20b, 20c). At least one combined connection member further comprises a connection lug (42) configured to electrically connect at least one coil (20a, 20b, 20c) to the electronic module, the connection lug (42) being dimensioned to extend the body (5) through the insulator and such that the free end of the connection lug (42) extends from the inside of the insulator (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of rotating electrical machines for motor vehicles. It is advantageously, but not exclusively, applied to rotating electrical machines used as electric motors for rotating fans of motor vehicles, for example fans intended to participate in the cooling of the engine and / or the air conditioning system of the vehicle.

[0002] Such rotating machines include in particular:

[0003] - a stator comprising a multi-phase winding;

[0004] - an electronic power supply and control module configured to provide a multi-phase power supply to the coils of the stator based on a current supplied, for example, by an electrical storage device of the vehicle;

[0005] - Interconnection means connected on the one hand to the above-mentioned electronic power supply and control module and on the other hand to the coils of the stator. Background Art

[0006] In rotating machines known in the prior art, the interconnection means comprise, on the one hand, a set of connection elements connected, for example by welding, to the metal wires constituting the stator coils and, on the other hand, a set of pins connected, for example by welding, to connection terminals of the electronic power supply and control module.

[0007] It should be understood here that the electronic power supply and control module must be protected from water and moisture due to the electronic components it contains. Therefore, it is usually placed in a sealed housing, in which the connection terminals included in the electronic power supply and control module are also accommodated, and the connections between these connection terminals and the pins of the interconnection means to which these connection terminals are connected (for example made by welding) are located inside the sealed housing. However, this welding generates mechanical forces in the housing for accommodating the interconnection means, which mechanical forces may cause deformations and therefore lead to a reduction in the sealing of such housing. In extreme cases, such deformations may lead to a complete loss of the sealing of the housing and therefore to a risk of irreversible damage to the electronic power supply and control module of the rotating electrical machine. Summary of the invention

[0008] The object of the present invention is to overcome this drawback and to provide a simple and effective interconnection between a stator of a rotating electrical machine as described above and an electronic power supply and control module for the stator, without risking loss of sealing with respect to the electronic power supply and control module.

[0009] To this end, the subject of the invention is an interconnection device intended to provide an electrical connection between a stator comprising a plurality of coils and an electronic power supply and control module, the interconnection device comprising an insulator and a plurality of connection members arranged on the outside of the insulator, each connection member comprising a body configured to rest on the insulator and a connection tongue for connection to at least one coil, characterized in that the plurality of connection members comprises at least one combined connection member, which also comprises a connection lug configured to electrically connect at least one coil of the stator to an electronic power supply and control module for the stator, the connection lug being dimensioned to extend the body through the insulator and such that the free end of the connection lug extends from the inside of the insulator.

[0010] The invention also extends to a stator of a rotating electrical machine of a motor vehicle, the stator being configured to be connected to an electronic power supply and control module by means of such an interconnection device according to the invention.

[0011] It should first be understood here that in a rotating electrical machine according to an aspect of the invention, the stator, its electronic power supply and control module and the interconnection device between these two components are arranged in a stack, wherein the interconnection device according to the invention is placed between the stator and its electronic control module. This therefore defines a first side of the interconnection device according to the invention located on the side of the stator, and defines a second side of the interconnection device according to the invention located on the side of the power supply and control module of the stator. In the interconnection device according to the invention, the first side and the second side are more precisely located on one side of the insulator comprised by the interconnection device, the term "side" being understood here relative to the main extension plane of such an insulator. Arbitrarily, the above-mentioned second side is referred to as the outer side of the insulator and the above-mentioned first side is referred to as the inner side of the insulator of the interconnection device according to the invention.

[0012] Advantageously, each connecting member of the interconnection device according to the invention comprises a substantially planar body from which extends a connecting tongue for connecting to at least one coil of the stator. Thus, the connecting members of the interconnection device according to the invention couple the phases of a wound stator. For example, in the case of a three-phase stator, each connecting member is connected to two coils of the stator, each coil being connected to a different phase thereof.

[0013] According to one feature of the invention, the composite connecting element is configured so that the connecting lug extends from the edge of the body, which is perpendicular to the edge carrying the connecting tongue. More precisely, the invention provides that the connecting lug of the composite connecting element passes all the way through the insulating body, that is to say from one side of the insulating body to the other, so as to project with respect to the aforementioned insulating body on the side thereof opposite to the side from which the plane formed by the body of the connecting element extends.

[0014] In the interconnection device according to the invention, the connecting members are advantageously arranged so that their bodies are arranged together substantially in the same plane, so as to be within manufacturing and assembly tolerances. In other words, the plane along which the bodies of the connecting members extend together forms the plane of the interconnection device according to the invention. More precisely, the plane defined by the bodies of the connecting members is located outside the upper defined side of the insulating body of the interconnection device according to the invention, that is to say, on the side of the electronic power supply and control module relative to the aforementioned insulating body.

[0015] In the interconnection device according to the invention, the connecting tongues of the connecting member extend out of the plane in which the body of the connecting member extends and are all located on the same side of the plane defined together by the bodies of the connecting members, while the free ends of the fixing lugs are arranged on the opposite side of this plane relative to the connecting tongues. In other words, the connecting tongues are all on the same side of the device according to the invention relative to the insulator as defined above. More precisely, in a rotating electric machine of the type described above in which the interconnection device according to the invention is implemented, the connecting tongues of the connecting member extend all on the side of the electronic power supply and control module of the stator of the rotating electric machine relative to the above-mentioned insulator.

[0016] According to the invention, the connection lugs of the combined connection member are configured to cooperate, for example by welding, with connection terminals of the power and control module coming from the insulator defined above and passing through the insulator of the interconnection device according to the invention. More precisely, in a rotating electrical machine implementing the interconnection device according to the invention, the above-mentioned connection lugs and the connection terminals are housed together in through holes arranged in the insulator of the above-mentioned interconnection device and they are on a side of this insulator opposite to the side of the insulator on which the plane defined by the body of the connection member defined above is located. In other words, the invention provides for the connection between the connection terminal coming from the power and control module and the connection lugs relative to the insulator of the interconnection device and the electronic power and control module, that is to say outside the sealed housing in which the electronic power and control module is advantageously housed as indicated above. The invention thus makes it possible to eliminate the above-mentioned risks of deformation of such a sealed housing, which could be caused by the formation of welds between the connection lugs of the combined connection member and the connection terminals coming from the electronic power and control module. The invention facilitates the welding of the two subassemblies formed by the stator and the electronic module when the stator is placed on the module forming the frame, the welding being carried out on the two free ends of the tongue and the terminal, respectively turned away from the frame formed by the electronic module.

[0017] As can be seen from the above, in a rotating electrical machine implementing the interconnection device according to the invention, the combined connection member as defined above is connected to at least one coil of the stator by means of the connection tongue carried by it, and is connected to the electronic power supply and control module of the stator through the connection lugs it comprises. Therefore, the combined connection member forms an electrical connection between the stator and the power supply and control module for it. It can also be seen from the above that a first type of connection member can be distinguished, hereinafter referred to as a simple connection member, which includes a connection tongue and forms the only connection of the interconnection device according to the invention to the stator coil, and a second type of connection member, which is composed of one or more combined connection members as defined above, and in addition to the above connection tongues, also includes the above defined connection lugs, which constitute the interconnection device according to the invention from the electronic power supply and control module of the stator to both the coil of the stator and the connection terminal. In the following, the general term of connection member will refer to any connection member of any of the above categories.

[0018] Advantageously, the present invention may have one or more of the following features, which may be employed individually or in combination:

[0019] - the insulator forms recesses for housing electrical connection tracks of the coils, each connection track forming a support for a set of connection members, each set of connection members comprising at least one combined connection member. In other words, the interconnection device according to the invention comprises the same number of combined connection members and connection tracks, i.e. the same number as the stator phases.

[0020] - the connecting lugs of the combined connecting member are arranged transversely with respect to the body of the combined connecting member. As mentioned above, the simple or combined connecting member comprises a substantially planar body from which the connecting tongues extend and, for the combined connecting member, in addition to the above-mentioned connecting tongues, also comprises connecting lugs. Advantageously, the body of the simple or combined connecting member is of substantially rectangular shape, comprising a connecting tongue extending from one of the short sides of the rectangle formed by the body of the connecting member, and the body of the connecting member is connected to the coupling track as defined above via a short side opposite to the short side from which the connecting tongues extend. It should then be understood from the above that the connecting lugs of the combined connecting member advantageously extend from one of the long sides of the rectangle formed by the body of the combined connecting member in question. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the insulator of the interconnection device according to the invention is substantially cylindrical with recesses arranged substantially concentrically around its axis, which recesses are configured to accommodate coupling tracks for stator coils in a rotating electrical machine according to the invention. According to this exemplary embodiment, advantageously, the connecting members are arranged around the axis of the insulator of the interconnection device so that the long sides of their bodies extend substantially within manufacturing and assembly tolerances in a radial direction relative to the axis of the insulator. According to this exemplary embodiment, the short sides of the body of the connecting member, from which the connecting tongues extend, advantageously form peripheral portions of a ring centered on the axis of the insulator, i.e. in other words, the connecting tongues are advantageously arranged equidistant from the axis of the insulator.

[0021] - the coupling tracks are configured so that for one coupling track, the combined connecting member is arranged on each side of the combined connecting member with at least one other connecting member, and in one coupling track the connecting lugs of the combined connecting member are arranged transversely on a first side of the body of the combined connecting member, while in at least one other coupling track the connecting lugs of the combined connecting member are arranged transversely on a second side of the body of the combined connecting member. The main purpose of this configuration is to obtain a keying relative to the coupling tracks of the stator and relative to the connecting terminals of the electronic power supply and control module of the stator when the combined connecting member is mounted in an interconnection device according to the invention and in a rotating electrical machine implementing such an interconnection device.

[0022] -The insulator of the interconnection device according to the present invention comprises: a first group of housing shells configured to accommodate a simple connection member; and a second group of housing shells, which penetrate the insulator from one side to the other side, the housing shells configured to accommodate a combined connection member and a connection terminal from an electronic power supply and control module for a stator in a rotating electric machine according to the present invention. More precisely, the housing shells are distributed in the first group of housing shells, the dimensions of which are designed to accommodate a simple connection member without a fixing lug, and distributed in the second group of housing shells, each comprising a first part, the dimensions of which are substantially the same as those of the housing shells in the first group of housing shells, and a second part, which expands the first part in the lateral direction and is configured to accommodate both a connection lug of the combined connection member and a connection terminal of the electronic power supply and control module.

[0023] The connecting members are advantageously angularly regularly distributed around the axis of the insulating body of the interconnection device.

[0024] - Since the interconnection device according to the invention is intended to be connected to a stator comprising three electrical phases, the interconnection device comprises three groups of connection members, each group comprising two simple connection members as described above and one combined connection member as described above. Advantageously, since the connection members of each group of connection members are angularly regularly distributed around the axis of the insulator of the interconnection device according to the invention, the angle measured around this axis that separates the combined connection members of the first group of connection members from the combined connection members of the second group of connection members is different from the angle that separates the combined connection members of the second group of connection members from the combined connection members of the third group of connection members. In other words, this configuration makes it possible to achieve angular keying in the assembly of the interconnection device according to the invention with an electronic power supply and control module for a stator.

[0025] The invention also extends to a rotating electrical machine comprising a wound stator, an electronic power supply and control module and an interconnection arrangement as described above.

[0026] According to one feature of the present invention, the interconnection device is arranged between the stator and the electronic power supply and control module, and each combined connecting member is configured so that the fixing tongue extends between the interconnection device and the electronic power supply module to be connected to the coil of the stator, so that the fixing lug passes through the insulator of the interconnection device so that its free end is arranged opposite to the insulator and the electronic power supply and control module, and the free end is fixed from the electronic power supply and control module to the free end of the connection terminal and passes through the insulator of the interconnection device.

[0027] Such a rotating electrical machine may be associated in particular with a cooling motor-fan unit in a motor vehicle, either in order to cool the combustion powertrain of the vehicle or for ventilating the passenger compartment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Other features, details and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent with the aid of the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0029] - Figure 1 and Figure 2 is an overall schematic perspective view of a rotating electrical machine according to one aspect of the present invention, Figure 2 In particular, the stator and the electronic power and control module are shown;

[0030] - Figure 3a and 3b is a schematic cross-sectional view of an interconnection device according to one aspect of the present invention;

[0031] - Figure 4 Such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a portion of a rotating electrical machine according to the present invention, specifically showing a stator of the rotating electrical machine and an interconnection device covering the stator;

[0032] - Figure 5 is in the region of the combined connecting member of the interconnection device according to the invention such as Figure 1 and 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a rotating electrical machine is shown;

[0033] - Figure 6 and Figure 7 are shown separately Figure 4 A perspective view of an insulator of an interconnection device and a coupling track carrying a set of connecting members;

[0034] - Figure 8 Such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 The schematic diagram of a part of a rotating electrical machine according to the invention is shown in FIG. Figure 4 obtained on the side opposite to that shown; and

[0035] - Fig. 9 is from something similar to Figure 4 Schematic perspective view of a portion of an insulator and a connecting member of an interconnection device according to an aspect of the present invention, as seen from the perspective of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] First, it should be noted that although the drawings illustrate the invention in detail to implement the invention, the drawings can of course be used to better define the invention when necessary. It should also be noted that in all drawings, similar and / or elements performing the same function are represented by the same reference numerals.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2, a rotating electrical machine 100 according to the invention, intended for example as an electric motor for rotating a fan of a motor vehicle, comprises in particular a rotor 7 having a substantially cylindrical dome-like general shape. The rotor 7 is mounted to rotate by means of ball bearings about a shaft 70, the axis X of which is the axis of the above-mentioned substantially cylindrical dome. The rotor 7 advantageously carries on its inner periphery, i.e. on the inner face of the peripheral wall of the dome, a plurality of permanent magnets 71, which are arranged on the inner face of the peripheral wall of the dome. Figure 2 The middle part is visible, forming the magnetic poles of the rotating electrical machine 100. In a motor vehicle equipped with such a rotating electrical machine 100, an impeller (not shown) of a fan of the vehicle can be accommodated by the rotatable dome.

[0038] The rotary electric machine 100 also comprises a stator 2 mounted so as to be fixed relative to the structure of the vehicle in which it is mounted and placed in a substantially cylindrical volume defined by the dome formed by the rotor 7 which thus rotates around the stator. Advantageously, the stator 2 is generally of substantially cylindrical shape and it is coaxial with the rotor 7, that is to say with the axis of rotation X defined above. The stator 2 comprises a plurality of coils 20, for example made by winding one or more metal wires around teeth 21 of a body 22 of the stator 2.

[0039] The rotating electrical machine 100 also comprises an electronic power supply and control module 3 for the windings of the stator 2. This electronic power supply and control module serves as a frame and the stator 2 is mounted to this module in a fixed manner, as is the shaft 70 around which the rotor 7 can rotate. Advantageously, the electronic power supply and control module 3 is supplied with power by means 8, for example from a device not present in the Figure 1 A power supply device of a vehicle is shown in FIG.

[0040] According to the present invention, the stator 2 and the electronic power supply and control module 3 are electrically connected to each other via an interconnection device 1, the working principle and main components of which are described in detail in the following. Figure 3a and 3b The interconnection device 1 is schematically shown in Figure 2 The middle part is visible.

[0041] In the following, Figure 1 and 2 The present invention is described and illustrated in the context of the exemplary embodiments shown.

[0042] Figure 3a and 3b is a schematic diagram, which schematically shows along different cross sections containing the above-mentioned rotation axis X in a Figure 1 and 2 The stack formed by the stator 2 , the interconnection device 1 according to the invention and the electronic power supply and control module 3 is shown in a rotating electrical machine 100 .

[0043] The interconnection device 1 comprises an insulating body 5 to which one or more connecting members 4 are attached.

[0044] According to the exemplary embodiment of the invention described and illustrated here non-exclusively, the insulator 5 is substantially cylindrical in shape, coaxial with the above-mentioned axis X. By extension, this axis X will also be referred to hereinafter as the axis of the interconnection device 1. Figure 3a and 3b As shown, the interconnection device 1, the stator 2 and the electronic power supply and control module 3 are arranged together in a stack, wherein the interconnection device 1 and more specifically its insulator 5 are placed between the electronic power supply and control module 3 and the stator 2. Advantageously, the insulator 5 of the interconnection device 1 according to the invention extends around the above-mentioned axis X over a radial dimension substantially equal to the inner radial dimension of the stator 2.

[0045] refer to Figure 3a The interconnection device 1 comprises a plurality of connection members 4, each of which comprises a connection tongue 41 configured to be electrically connected to at least one coil 20 of the stator 2. Figure 3a In the figure shown, two connection members 4 are shown and each of them is connected to a coil 20 of a stator 2. The connection member 4 more precisely comprises a body 40 which is substantially planar and perpendicular to the axis X of the insulating body 5 of the interconnection device 1 within manufacturing and assembly tolerances, from which a connection tongue 41 extends substantially perpendicularly towards the electronic power supply and control module 3.

[0046] like Figure 3a As shown, in the interconnection device 1 according to the present invention, the main bodies 40 of the connection members 4 are arranged together on the same side of the insulator 5 in the direction of the aforementioned axis X in a plane P that is substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned axis X of the insulator 5. The concept of "side" is defined here with respect to the substantially cylindrical shape of the insulator 5 with respect to the face of this general shape perpendicular to its axis X. More precisely, the main bodies 40 of the connection members 4 together define a plane P in the direction of the axis X of the insulator 5, which plane P is located on the same side of the insulator 5 as the electronic power supply and control module 3. In the following, this side of the insulator 5 will be arbitrarily referred to as the outer side 55 of the insulator 5. Therefore, in the following, the term inner side 56 of the insulator 5 will be used to refer to the side opposite to the aforementioned outer side 55 in the direction of the axis X of the insulator 5 relative to the insulator 5.

[0047] According to the present invention, and more specifically as Figure 3b As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4 , the interconnection device 1 includes at least one combined connection member 400, which, in addition to the above-mentioned main body 40 and connection tongue 41, also includes a connection lug 42, which extends from the main body 40 in a direction opposite to the connection tongue 41. The connection lug 42 is configured to pass through the insulator 5, substantially perpendicular to the main body 40 of the combined connection member 400. In other words, the connection lug 42 of the combined connection member 400 passes through the insulator 5 from the above-mentioned outer side 55 to the inner side 56 thereof.

[0048] According to the present invention, and more specifically as Figure 3b As shown, the connection lug 42 of the combined connection member 400 is configured to cooperate with the connection terminal 30 from the above-mentioned electronic power supply and control module 3 after passing through the insulator 5 from one side to the other side. For example, the above-mentioned connection lug 42 can be welded to the above-mentioned connection terminal 30. However, as can be seen from the above, the connection between the connection lug 42 and the connection terminal 30 is performed on the inner side of the insulator 5, that is, opposite to the electronic power supply and control module with respect to the interconnection device 1, so that according to the present invention, both the connection lug 42 and the connection terminal must pass through the insulator 5 so that their respective free ends 420 extend on the inner side 56 of the insulator 5.

[0049] As can be seen from the above, the combined connecting component 400 is electrically connected to one or more coils 20 of the stator 2 through the connecting tongue 41 it includes, and is also electrically connected to the electronic power supply and control module 3 through the connecting lug 42 it includes: the combined connecting component 400 therefore establishes an electrical connection between the stator 2 and the electronic power supply and control module 3.

[0050] As mentioned above, the electronic power supply and control module 3 must be protected from water and moisture: it is therefore preferably housed in a housing 31 equipped, for example, with a seal 32 for ensuring the tightness of the housing 31 with respect to ambient moisture and water. It is then clear from the above that, due to the specific configuration of the combined connection member 400, no electrical connection is established between the stator 2 and its electronic power supply and control module 3 within the housing 2 housing the electronic power supply and control module 3. More precisely, the electrical connection between the stator 2 and the connection terminals 30 from the electronic power supply and control module 3 is opposite to the insulator 5 of the interconnection device 1 in the direction of the axis X of the latter. In other words, with reference to the orientation and direction described above, in the rotary electric machine 100 according to the invention, the electrical connection between the connection members 4, 400 of the interconnection device 1 according to the invention and the coils 20 of the stator 2 is established on the outer side 55 of the insulator 5, and the electrical connection between the combined connection member or members 400 and the electronic power supply and control module 3 for the stator 2 is established on the inner side 56 of the insulator 5.

[0051] The invention thus makes it possible to prevent any mechanical deformations from occurring inside the aforementioned housing 31, caused by the electrical connections between the stator 2 and the electronic power supply and control module 3, for example by welding, which could lead to a reduction in the leaktightness of the aforementioned housing 31. The invention thus achieves exactly one of its set purposes.

[0052] Figure 4 Yes Figure 1 and 2 A schematic perspective view of a portion of a rotating electrical machine 100 is shown. Figure 4 The stator 2, a part of the rotation axis 70 around which the rotor 7 can rotate, and the elements of the interconnection device 1 are shown from the above-mentioned outer side 55 of the insulator 5 of the interconnection device 1, and it also schematically shows the connection terminals 30 (which are located at the bottom) from the electronic power supply and control module 3 not shown here. Figure 8 ), in order to illustrate the passage of the connecting terminal through the interconnection device and its insulator.

[0053] according to Figure 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stator 2 includes eighteen coils 20, each formed by one or more metal wires wound on teeth 21 of a body 22 of the stator 2. Since the teeth 21 are arranged in a radial direction around the axis X, the coils 20 of the stator 2 extend in a substantially radial direction around the axis. According to the exemplary embodiment, the wound stator 2 is a three-phase stator, and the coils 20 are organized into three groups of coils forming different phases, 20a, 20b, 20c, respectively. Of course, the fact that the winding is a three-phase winding is a non-limiting example here, and the present invention can be applied to multi-phase windings with other numbers of phases.

[0054] Figure 4 A rotation axis 70 is also partially shown, the direction of which marks the direction of the axis X common to the rotor 7 , the stator 2 and the interconnection device 1 .

[0055] Especially refer to Figure 4 , 6 9, the interconnection device 1 comprises an insulator 5, the general shape of which is substantially that of a cylinder, the axis of which coincides, within manufacturing and assembly tolerances, with the axis X of the interconnection device 1. The insulator 5 extends along a radial dimension, measured relative to the aforementioned axis X, substantially equal to the radial dimension of the body 22 of the stator 2. More precisely, the insulator 5 extends so as to partially cover the stator 2, on the side where the electronic power supply and control module 3 of the stator 2 is located, without Figure 4 More specifically, the insulator 5 includes a central portion 50 configured to be coaxially inserted into the central portion 220 of the main body 22 of the stator 2 (in Figure 8 and a peripheral portion 51, which is substantially in contact with the teeth 21 of the main body 22 described above.

[0056] In order to achieve the coupling of different groups of coils 20a, 20b, 20c, the interconnection device 1 comprises, in particular in the central portion 50, a first coupling track 21a, a second coupling track 21b and a third coupling track 21c. According to the embodiment shown more specifically in Figure 3, the coupling tracks 21a, 21b, 21c are concentric and they each extend over a portion of the periphery of a ring centered on the axis X of the interconnection device 1. The coupling tracks 21a, 21b, 21c are advantageously made of an electrically conductive material, for example a metallic material.

[0057] As mentioned above, the interconnection device 1 further comprises a plurality of connection members 4, and Figure 4 As can be seen in particular in FIG, each of these connection members is attached to one of the coupling rails 21a, 21b, 21c. Thus, a first group of connection members 4a attached to the first coupling rail 21a, a second group of connection members 4b attached to the second coupling rail 21b and a third group of connection members 4c attached to the third coupling rail 21c can be distinguished. Figure 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown more specifically, each group of connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c comprises three connecting members. According to this particular embodiment, within each group of connecting members, the connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c are regularly distributed angularly around the axis X of the interconnection device 1 according to the invention, but these groups of connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c are irregularly distributed angularly around the above-mentioned axis X. Advantageously, the connecting members are made of the same material as the coupling tracks 21a, 21b, 21c, that is to say of an electrically conductive material, for example a metallic material.

[0058] Each connection member 4a, 4b, 4c comprises in particular a substantially planar body 40, a connection tongue 41 extending from said body 40 to its radial end and a connection lug 421 configured to be housed in one of said connection tracks 21a, 21b, 21c. More precisely, with reference to Figure 4 The main bodies 40 of the connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c are generally of substantially rectangular and planar shape, with their long sides extending in a direction substantially radial relative to the axis X of the interconnection device 1. In other words, the main bodies 40 of the connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c are arranged substantially in a star shape around the axis X of the interconnection device 1, i.e. in a radial direction.

[0059] As mentioned above, the bodies 40 of the connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c are all arranged in the same plane P which is substantially perpendicular to the axis X of the interconnection device 1. Figure 4 The plane P is schematically shown in FIG. Figure 4 The outer side of the insulating body 5 visible in the figure extends, that is to say, the same side of the insulating body 5 as the electronic power supply and control module 3.

[0060] For example, in Figure 4 or Figure 7 As shown in , and as described above, the connection tongues 41 all extend on the same side of this aforementioned plane P, that is to say on the same side of the insulating body 5 of the interconnection device 1. With reference to the above, the connection tongues 41 extend on the same side of the aforementioned plane P as the electronic power supply and control module 3, that is to say on the outer side 55 of the insulating body 5.

[0061] According to the exemplary embodiment shown more specifically, the connecting tongue 41 extends from the short side of the substantially rectangular shape of the body 40 of the connecting member 4a, 4b, 4c. More precisely, the connecting tongue 41 extends from the short side of the body 40 which is opposite to the short side of the body 40 which is closest to the above-mentioned axis X. Figure 4 As shown, the connecting tongues 41 are folded back on themselves, respectively, so as to form a ring with the main body 40 of the corresponding connecting member 4a, 4b, 4c, which is configured to accommodate one or more metal wires 25 from one or more coils 20a, 20b, 20c of the stator 2, thereby participating in the electrical connection between the connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c and the coils 20a, 20b, 20c in question, which electrical connections can be made by welding or crimping.

[0062] More precisely, according to Figure 4 In the exemplary embodiment shown more specifically, each connection tongue 41 is connected to two coils belonging to two different groups of coils 20a, 20b, 20c. Thus, the connection tongue 41 provides continuity of electrical connection between the phases of the stator 2, while the connection lug 421 provides continuity of electrical connection for the connection members associated with the same phase via the connection tracks 21a, 21b, 21c.

[0063] As described above, the interconnection device 1 according to the present invention comprises at least one connection member, referred to as a combined connection member, which comprises a connection lug 42 in addition to the above-mentioned main body 40 and connection tongue 41. Figure 4 More specifically, in the example shown, each set of connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c comprises a combined connecting member, 400a, 400b, 400c respectively. In the following, the term simple connecting member will be used to refer to connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c that are not combined connecting members, that is to say those that do not have connecting lugs 42, and the general term connecting member will be applied to all types of connecting members, whether simple or combined.

[0064] Like the simple connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c, the combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c include a body 40 and a connecting tongue 41, which are respectively the same as the body 40 and the connecting tongue 41 of the simple connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c. In addition, in the same manner as the connecting tongue 41 of the simple connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c, the connecting tongue 41 of the combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c is electrically connected to two coils of the grouped coils 20a, 20b, 20c of the stator 2, respectively.

[0065] The connecting lug 42 of each combined connecting member 400a, 400b, 400c extends from the long side of the basically rectangular body 40 of the combined connecting member 400a, 400b, 400c in question, is basically perpendicular to the body 40 and is opposite to the connecting tongue 41 of the combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c when considering the direction of the above-mentioned axis X and the plane P in which the body 40 of the various connecting devices is located.

[0066] According to the invention, the connection lug 42 of each combined connection member 400a, 400b, 400c extends in a direction opposite to the connection tongue, so as to pass all the way through the insulating body 5 in the direction of the aforementioned axis X, and so that its free end 420 is located on the side of the insulating body 5 opposite to the side on which the aforementioned plane P is located, that is to say, on the inner side 56 of the insulating body with reference to the aforementioned orientation and direction. As will be described in more detail below, a particular connection lug 42 of a combined connection member can pass through the insulating body 5 at the level of a portion of a housing 53 made in the insulating body extending transversely, so as to accommodate the combined connection member, which portion also allows the passage of the terminals 30 of the electronic power supply and control module.

[0067] This is due to Figure 5 More specifically, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the interconnection device 1 in cross section along a plane parallel to the axis X of the interconnection device. More precisely, Figure 5 is a cross section of the interconnection device 1 in the region of its combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c. Figure 5 The insulator 5 and the insulator 40 , the connecting tongue 41 and the connecting lug 42 of the combined connecting members 400 a , 400 b , 400 c are schematically shown. Figure 5 It is clearly shown that the connection lug 42 passes all the way through the insulating body 5 in the direction of the above-mentioned axis X and extends so that its free end 420, ie the end opposite the body 40 of the connection member, is arranged on the side of the insulating body opposite to the side on which the connection tongue 41 extends.

[0068] More precisely, the invention provides that the connection lug 42 is exposed on one side of the insulating body 5 relative to a length measured by the extension of the connection tongue 41 in the direction of the axis X of the interconnection device 1, this length being sufficient to allow the free end 420 of the connection lug 42 to be mated, for example by welding, with a connection terminal 30 coming from the electronic power supply and control module 3, which also passes through the insulating body 5. In other words, with reference to the above orientation and direction, from Figure 5It is clearly seen that the connecting lug 42 of the combined connecting member 400a, 400b, 400c passes through the insulator 5 from the above-mentioned outer side 55 to the above-mentioned inner side 56, and it extends from the inner side 56 of the insulator 5 by a dimension measured in the direction of the above-mentioned axis X, which is sufficient to enable its free end 420 to form an electrical connection from the free end 300 of the connecting terminal 30 of the power supply and control module 3, as will be mentioned and described in more detail below, so that it passes through the insulator by extending laterally a part of the accommodating shell 53 made in the insulator so as to accommodate the corresponding combined connecting member.

[0069] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the stator 2 and the associated windings, this time seen from the inside 56 of the insulator 5 of the interconnection device 1 , the rotation axis 70 about which the rotor rotates, only the permanent magnets 71 of which are shown here.

[0070] in addition, Figure 8 The coils 20a, 20b, 20c of the different phases of the stator 2 as well as the insulator 5 of the interconnection device 1 and the connection members 4a, 400a, 4b, 400b, 4c, 400c of the first, second and third groups of connection members are shown. Figure 8 Also shown are free ends 300 of three connection terminals 30 from the electronic power supply and control module 3, which are configured to cooperate with free ends 420 of connection lugs 42 of the combined connection members 400a, 400b, 400c.

[0071] It should be noted that according to Figure 8 In the exemplary embodiment shown more specifically, the connecting lugs 42 of two of the combined connecting members (here the combined connecting members 400a and 400c of the second and third groups of connecting members) are not arranged to extend from the same long side of the body 40 of the corresponding combined member as the connecting lug 42 of the combined connecting member 400b of the first group of connecting members. This allows in particular when the connecting rails 21a, 21b, 21c and the connecting members 4a, 400a, 4b, 400b, 4c, 400c fixed to these connecting rails are installed in the insulator 5 formed in the interconnection device 1 and in particular when Figure 6 The receiving recesses 54a, 54b, 54c visible in FIG. Figure 7 as shown in the example.

[0072] For example, Figure 4 , 8As shown in Figures 1 and 9, in the interconnection device 1 according to the present invention, the above-mentioned connecting members are accommodated in an accommodating housing arranged in the insulator 5. More specifically, the present invention stipulates that the above-mentioned simple connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c are accommodated in a first group of accommodating housings 52, and the above-mentioned combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c are accommodated in a second group of accommodating housings 53. As can be seen from the above, according to the present invention, the accommodating housing 53 in the second group of accommodating housings is configured to simultaneously accommodate the connecting lugs 42 of the combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c and the connecting terminals 30 from the electronic power supply and control module 3.

[0073] Fig. 9 More specifically shown are the outside of the insulating body 5 and a set of connection members associated with one connection track, here the outer connection track 21c, since it comprises the connection track farthest from the rotation axis X. The set of connection members comprises two simple connection members 4c and one combined connection member 400c. Fig. 9 Also shown are the coils 20b, 20c of the two sets of coils of the stator 2 connected by the connecting track 21c, and the wires 25b, 25c coming from these coils and connected to the connecting tongue 21 carried by the connecting member 4c, 400c for this connection.

[0074] As mentioned above and as Fig. 9 More precisely, the insulator 5 comprises a central portion 50 configured to be substantially inserted into a central portion 220 of the body 22 of the stator 2 coaxial therewith (at Figure 8 ) and a peripheral portion 51 which is substantially in contact with the teeth 21 of the body 22.

[0075] The central portion 50 of the insulator 5 is formed by Figure 7 The outer side shown comprises a plurality of concentric annular recesses centered on the axis X of the interconnection device 1 and configured to accommodate the coupling tracks of the interconnection device 1. Figure 6 In the embodiment visible in FIG. 4 , the insulating body 5 comprises three annular recesses 54 a , 54 b , 54 c which are configured to accommodate the above-mentioned coupling tracks 21 a , 21 b , 21 c .

[0076] Reference Figure 8 and 9 The housings 52 of the first group of housing housings intended to house the above-mentioned simple connection members 4a, 4b, 4c are of substantially rectangular shape, the long sides of which are arranged in radial direction with respect to the axis X of the interconnection device 1 according to the invention, and the short sides of which form part of a ring centered on the axis X of the interconnection device 1 according to the invention. Advantageously, the housing housings 52 of the first group of housing housings are all located at the same distance measured radially with respect to the above-mentioned axis X.

[0077] According to the invention, the dimensions of the accommodation housings 52 of the first group of accommodation housings in a plane perpendicular to the above-mentioned axis X are complementary to the dimensions of the bodies 40 of the connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c measured in the above-mentioned plane P, so that the above-mentioned bodies 40 can be accommodated in these accommodation housings, and more specifically, so that the bodies of the simple connecting members completely fill these accommodation housings 52 of the first group of accommodation housings. More precisely, each accommodation housing 52 of the first group of accommodation housings comprises two side walls extending in a radial direction relative to the axis X of the interconnection device 1 and in a direction substantially parallel to the above-mentioned axis X, projecting from the outside of the insulating body 5. The side walls thus form, on the one hand, guide walls for inserting the bodies 40 of the simple connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c into the above-mentioned accommodation housings 52, as well as lateral retaining stops for the long sides of these bodies 40.

[0078] The accommodating shell 52 in the first group of accommodating shells is delimited at its short side closest to the axis X of the interconnection device 1 by a first end wall, which forms part of a cylindrical wall centered on the above-mentioned axis X and is configured to allow the positioning of a connecting lug 421, through which the simple connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c accommodated in the accommodating shell 52 in question are attached to the corresponding connecting rails 21a, 21b, 21c.

[0079] The housing housing 52 of the first group of housing housings is delimited, on its side shortest from the axis X of the interconnection device 1 , by a second end wall forming part of a cylindrical wall centred on the aforementioned axis X, concentric with the aforementioned first end wall. The second end wall is configured to allow positioning of the portion of the simple connection member 4a, 4b, 4c and to allow manipulation of the connection tongue 41 of this connection member.

[0080] As in Figure 6 and 9 It can be seen in particular that the housing 53 in the second group of housings intended to accommodate the combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c includes: a first portion 530, whose internal dimensions are substantially the same as those of the housing 52 in the first group of housings; and a second portion 531, which laterally expands the first portion 530 and is configured to simultaneously accommodate the connecting lugs 42 of the combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c and the connecting terminals 30 ( Fig. 9 not shown).

[0081] According to the invention, at least the second portion 531 of the housing 53 passes through the insulating body 5 in the direction of the axis X of the interconnection device 1 so as to allow the connection terminals and the connection lugs to pass through the insulating body. Figure 6 and 9In the exemplary embodiment shown more specifically, the first portion 530 and the second portion 531 of the housing 53 pass all the way through the insulator 5 in the direction of the above-mentioned axis X, and the first portion 530 and the second portion 531 extend transversely and continuously to each other around the above-mentioned axis X. In other words, the first portion 530 and the second portion 531 together form a single opening in the insulator 5 that passes all the way through the latter in the direction of the above-mentioned axis X. This makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of the insulator 5, for example by injecting plastic material into a mold.

[0082] It can be seen from the above that the accommodating shell 53 in the second group of accommodating shells is in the form of an opening, and its tangential dimension measured around the axis X is larger than the equivalent dimension measured around the axis X of the accommodating shell 52 in the first group of accommodating shells.

[0083] It should be noted that according to Fig. 9 In the exemplary embodiment shown more specifically, the housing housing 52 of the first group of housing housings also passes all the way through the insulator 5 in the direction of the above-mentioned axis X. Although not necessary for the interconnection between the stator 2 and the electronic control module 3 by means of the interconnection device 1, this makes it possible, on the one hand, to simplify the manufacture and therefore reduce the costs of the insulator 5 and, on the other hand, to make this element lighter.

[0084] The first portion 530 of the housing 53 is limited around the axis X of the interconnection device 1 by first side walls similar to the side walls of the housing 52 of the first set of housings described above and by the second portion 531 of the housing 53 in question.

[0085] With reference to the above, the second portion 531 of the housing case 53 is limited around the axis X of the interconnection device 1 on the one hand by the above-mentioned first portion 530 and on the other hand by the second side wall 533 .

[0086] like Figure 6 and 9 As shown, the second side wall 533 is composed of a first portion 5330 extending substantially radially, similar to the first side wall described above, and a second portion 5331 forming a cylindrical portion centered on the axis X, extending the first portion 5330 at its end closest to the axis X of the interconnection device 1. The dimensions of the second portion 5331 are defined, measured tangentially around the axis X, so that the free end of the latter forms a connection member 400c for assembly as shown in FIG. Fig. 9 The transverse stop of the body 40 of the combined connecting member 400a, 400b, 400c housed in the housing 53 in question is shown. More specifically, the second portion 5331 of the second side wall 533 forms a stop for the combined connecting member at the level of its connecting lug 42.

[0087] It should be noted that according to Fig. 9In the exemplary embodiment shown more specifically, the housing shells 53 of the second group of housing shells are not regularly distributed around the above-mentioned axis X. In other words, the angle 600 measured around the above-mentioned axis X between the housing shell intended to accommodate the combined connection member 400a of the first group of connection members and the housing shell intended to accommodate the combined connection member 400b of the second group of connection members is different from the angle 610 between the housing shell intended to accommodate the combined connection member 400b of the second group of connection members and the housing shell intended to accommodate the combined connection member 400c of the above-mentioned third group of connection members. On the one hand, this makes it possible to obtain a keying when positioning the connection tracks 21a, 21b, 21c inside the insulator 5, and on the other hand, with reference to the above-mentioned outer and inner designations, it is possible to optimize the volume of the insulator 5 relative to the components of the electronic power supply and control module 3 intended to be placed above it.

[0088] Advantageously, the position and size of the accommodating shell 52 in the first group of accommodating shells and the accommodating shell 53 in the second group of accommodating shells are defined so that when the connecting track 21a, 21b, 21c of the interconnection device 1 is inserted into the recess 54a, 54b, 54c constructed in the insulator to accommodate it, the simple connecting members 4a, 4b, 4c and the combined connecting members 400a, 400b, 400c attached to the connecting track are naturally placed in the accommodating shell 52 in the first group of accommodating shells, 53 in the second group of accommodating shells, respectively.

[0089] As just described, the invention achieves its set purpose and makes it possible to produce, by simple means, a high-performance connection between the stator 2 of a rotary electric machine 100 for a motor vehicle and the electronic power supply and control module 3 of this stator 2, without risking loss of sealing of the housing 31 housing the above-mentioned electronic module.

[0090] However, the invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and shown, and is also applicable to all equivalent devices or configurations and any combination of these devices. In particular, although the invention has been described and shown here for a three-phase stator, it is applicable to any type of stator 2, regardless of the number of phases included in the invention. Likewise, the invention is applicable to any geometry of a rotating electrical machine 100 having the elements and features described and shown herein.

Claims

1. An interconnection device (1) for a rotating electrical machine (100), the device (1) being intended to provide an electrical connection between a stator (2) comprising a plurality of coils (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) and an electronic power supply and control module (3), the interconnection device (1) comprising an insulator (5) and a plurality of connecting members (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 400a, 400b, 400c) arranged on an outer side (55) of the insulator (5), each connecting member (4, 4a, 4b, 4c, 400a, 400b, 400c) comprising a body (40) configured to rest on the insulator (5) and a connecting tongue (41) for connecting to at least one coil (20, 20a, 20b, 20c), characterized in that The plurality of connection members include at least one combined connection member (400, 400a, 400b, 400c), further comprising a connection lug (42), the connection lug (42) being configured to electrically connect at least one coil (20, 20a, 20b, 20c) of the stator (2) to an electronic power supply and control module for the stator (2), the connection lug being dimensioned to extend the body (40) through an insulator (5), the connection terminal (30) of the electronic power supply and control module also passing through the insulator (5), such that a free end (420) of the connection lug (42) and a free end (300) of the connection terminal (30) extend from an inner side (56) of the insulator (5), the connection lug (42) and the connection terminal (30) forming an electrical connection on the inner side (56) of the insulator (5).

2. The interconnection device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The combined connecting member (400a, 400b, 400c) is configured such that the connecting lug (42) extends the edge of the main body (40), which is perpendicular to the edge that carries the connecting tongue (41).

3. The interconnection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The main bodies (40) of the connecting members are arranged together substantially in the same plane (P), the connecting tongues (41) are all located on the same side of the plane (P), and the free ends (420) of the connecting lugs (42) are arranged on the opposite side of the plane (P) relative to the connecting tongues.

4. The interconnection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The insulator (5) forms a recess (54a, 54b, 54c) for accommodating a connecting track (21a, 21b, 21c) of the coil (20, 20a, 20b, 20c), each connecting track (21a, 21b, 21c) forming a support for a group of connecting members, characterized in that each group of connecting members includes at least one combined connecting member (400a, 400b, 400c).

5. The interconnection device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that The connecting tracks (21a, 21b, 21c) are configured such that for one connecting track, a combined connecting member (400a, 400b, 400c) is arranged with at least one other connecting member on each side of the combined connecting member, and is characterized in that, in one connecting track (21b), a connecting lug (42) of the combined connecting member (400b) is arranged transversely on a first side of a body (40) of the combined connecting member, while in at least one other connecting track, a connecting lug of the combined connecting member (400a, 400c) is arranged transversely on a second side of the body of the combined connecting member.

6. The interconnection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The insulator (5) includes a housing shell, each of which is configured to accommodate a connecting member, and is characterized in that the housing shells are distributed in a first group of housing shells (52), and their sizes are designed to accommodate simple connecting members (4a, 4b, 4c) without connecting lugs, and in a second group of housing shells (53), each of the second group of housing shells (53) includes a first part (530) whose size is substantially the same as that of the housing shell (52) in the first group of housing shells, and a second part (531) which expands the first part (530) in the transverse direction and is configured to simultaneously accommodate the connecting lug (42) of the combined connecting member (400a, 400b, 400c) and the connecting terminal (30).

7. The interconnection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The connecting members (4a, 4b, 4c, 400a, 400b, 400c) are regularly distributed at angles around the axis (X) of the insulating body (5) of the interconnection device (1).

8. A rotating electrical machine (100) comprising a wound stator (2), an electronic power supply and control module (3) and an interconnection device (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

9. The rotating electrical machine (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that: The interconnection device (1) is arranged between the stator (2) and the electronic power supply and control module (3), and each combined connection member (400, 400a, 400b, 400c) is configured so that a connection tongue (41) extends between the interconnection device and the electronic power supply module to be connected to the coil of the stator, and so that a connection lug (42) passes through an insulator (5) passing through the interconnection device (1) so that its free end (420) is arranged opposite to the insulator (5) and the electronic power supply and control module (3), and the free end (420) is fixed to the free end (300) of the connection terminal (30).

10. The rotating electrical machine (100) according to any one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that The rotating electrical machine (100) is used for a cooling motor-fan unit in a motor vehicle.

Images