Converter arrangement and drive arrangement for an electrically drivable vehicle

Abstract

Converter device (1) comprising a converter housing (2) having an accommodation space (3) for electrical components of the converter device (1) and a cover portion (4) for the accommodation space (3), a first connector (5) fixed or fixable in the accommodation space (3), and a second connector (6) fixed on the cover portion (4) and arranged to make an electrical connection with the first connector (5) in a first position of the cover portion (4) and to break the electrical connection when the cover portion (4) is moved from the first position to a second position, wherein the cover portion (4) covers the accommodation space (3) in the first position and the accommodation space (3) is accessible in the second position, wherein the converter housing (2) has a locking device (8) for fixing the first connector (5) in the converter housing (2) by a locking connection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a converter device, comprising: a converter housing having a housing space for electrical components of the converter device and a cover for the housing space; a first connector fixed or fixable in the housing space; and a second connector fixed to the cover and configured to form an electrical connection with the first connector in a first position of the cover and to disconnect the electrical connection when the cover moves from the first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the cover covers the housing space and in the second position the housing space is accessible.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a drive device for an electrically driven vehicle. Background Technology

[0003] In such converter devices, which are generally known from the prior art, the connectors (steckverbinders) typically form part of an interlocking circuit that detects the removal of the cover from the receiving space. For this purpose, it is checked whether the electrical connection established by the first and second connectors in the first position is broken, thereby inferring that the cover has been removed from the receiving space and switching the electrical components to a voltage-free state.

[0004] It is known that the first connector is secured in the receiving space by screw connection. However, the disadvantage of this solution is that the assembly of the first connector is very complicated and also provides a source of error, because during the assembly process, for example due to the assembler's mistake, the screw may fall into the converter unit and must be laboriously removed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The objective of this invention is to propose an assembly-friendly and feasible solution for implementing the interlocking function of a converter device.

[0006] To address this task, according to the present invention, in a converter device of the type mentioned at the beginning, the converter housing is provided with a locking device for securing the first connector in the converter housing via a locking connection.

[0007] This invention is based on the idea that the first connector is formed by a locking connection, specifically by a shape-locking engagement between the first connector and a locking device on the converter housing side, thus avoiding the laborious need for a screw connection between the first connector and the converter housing. Consequently, the first connector can be advantageously assembled in a single work step without the risk of screws falling into the converter unit due to operator error. An additional advantage is that, for example, in the event of maintenance or repair, the first connector can be easily disassembled.

[0008] According to a suitable method, the converter device according to the invention is provided with an interlock circuit having a control unit, which can detect a break in the electrical connection between the first connector and the second connector, wherein the interlock circuit is configured to switch the electrical components to a voltage-free state when a break is detected. The second connector typically has a bridge that enables electrical connection in a first position and keeps the contact elements of the first connector unloaded in a second position.

[0009] Preferably, in the converter device according to the invention, a locking device prevents the first connector from moving along a first spatial direction in a locked state.

[0010] The locking device may have a recess into which the protrusion of the first connector engages in the locked state. Advantageously, the recess serves as a stop to prevent the protrusion from moving in the first spatial direction.

[0011] Particularly preferred is that the protrusion and the recess constitute an anti-torsion portion for the first connector. The anti-torsion portion is typically configured to allow the protrusion to be inserted into the recess in a first rotational positioning relative to a rotational axis extending perpendicular to a first spatial direction, and to prevent the protrusion from being inserted into the recess in a second rotational positioning after rotating 180° relative to the rotational axis. For this purpose, the protrusion may have a raised section, and the locking device may have a notch. Alternatively, the protrusion may have a notch, and the locking device may have a raised section.

[0012] In an advantageous embodiment, a locking device may also be provided that, in the locked state, surrounds the first connector on opposite sides, such that the locking device prevents the first connector from moving along a second spatial direction perpendicular to the first spatial direction. The second spatial direction typically points from the bottom of the receiving space to the opening of the receiving space, which is closed by a cover in the first position.

[0013] It can be further configured that the locking device, in the locked state, surrounds the first connector, thereby preventing movement of the first connector in a third spatial direction perpendicular to both the first and second spatial directions. This advantageously fixes the positioning of the first connector in all three translational degrees of freedom. It has proven advantageous that the second locking device has a rounded locking element that engages the first connector in the third spatial direction.

[0014] The preferred method for mechanical fastening of the locking device is to fix the locking device to one or two protrusions on the main body of the converter housing. For this purpose, for example, threaded protrusions for screw connection already provided in conventional converter devices can be used, so that the fastening according to the invention can be achieved by the locking device without any significant structural modifications to the housing.

[0015] The locking device is typically made of plastic. Alternatively or additionally, the housing body may be made of metal. Typically, the housing body includes one or more protrusions constructed as a casting.

[0016] In the converter device according to the invention, it is preferred that the first connector has two locking elements, particularly opposite each other along a first spatial direction. Typically, each locking element is composed of locking lugs, particularly pointing outwards.

[0017] In a preferred design of the converter device according to the invention, the locking element is elastically deformable for engaging with the locking device. Particularly preferred is that the first connector has an actuating element pointing towards the opening of the receiving space, which can be manually operated to establish and / or release the locking connection. The elasticity of the locking element is generally greater than that of the locking device on the converter housing side. It can be configured such that, in the locked state, the actuating element protrudes beyond the locking device on the converter housing side into the opening of the receiving space.

[0018] In the converter device according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous to provide that the first connector has one or more actuating elements for releasing the locking connection. The second connector is configured to prevent the actuating elements from being manipulated to release the locking connection when the first and second connectors are connected to each other. This prevents the locking connection between the first connector and the converter housing from being released while they are connected, that is, particularly when the cover is in the first position. This is meaningful, for example, when the connectors are stuck together due to corrosion, such that the force for releasing the connectors is greater than the force for releasing the locking connection. The second connector preferably has a stop surface for the actuating elements, which is configured to restrict the movement path of the actuating elements for releasing the locking connection in such a way that the actuating elements stop against the stop surface before the locking connection is released.

[0019] In a preferred design of the converter device according to the invention, the electrical components are electrical connection mechanisms at the AC voltage output terminals of the converter device. The converter device can, for example, perform the function of an inverter.

[0020] The power converter housing typically has an additional accommodating space in which semiconductor circuit elements are arranged. In the first position, this additional accommodating space is usually not covered by the cover of the first accommodating space. The semiconductor switches of the converter device can be arranged in this additional accommodating space.

[0021] The object of the invention is also achieved by a drive device for an electrically driven vehicle, comprising an electric motor configured to drive the vehicle, and a converter device according to the invention, wherein the converter device is configured to provide an AC voltage to the electric motor.

[0022] Preferably, the converter housing is part of the housing that houses the converter unit and the motor.

[0023] For this purpose, the converter housing may have a through opening leading to the motor housing that houses the motor. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Other advantages and details of the invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and with reference to the accompanying drawings. These are schematic diagrams in which:

[0025] Figure 1 A detailed cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of a converter device according to the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 2 Another detailed cross-sectional view of the converter device according to the first embodiment is shown when the first connector is inserted;

[0027] Figure 3 A top view of the locking device according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0028] Figure 4 A perspective view of the locking device according to the first embodiment is shown;

[0029] Figure 5 A perspective view of a second embodiment of the converter device according to the present invention, compared with the first embodiment, is shown;

[0030] Figure 6 A perspective view showing a third embodiment of the converter device according to the present invention; and

[0031] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the drive device according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Figure 1 This is a detailed cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the converter device 1.

[0033] The converter device 1 includes a converter housing 2 having a housing 3 for electrical components (not shown) of the converter device 1 and a cover 4 for the housing. In this embodiment, the housing 3 is groove-shaped so that it can be closed by the cover 4, which is designed as a cover.

[0034] The converter assembly 1 also includes a first connector 5 fixed in the receiving space 3 and a second connector 6 fixed on the cover portion 4. The second connector 6 is configured in a first position (e.g., Figure 1 As shown, an electrical connection is formed with the first connector 5, and the electrical connection is disconnected when the cover 4 moves from the first position to the second position, in which the receiving space 3 can be entered.

[0035] Connectors 5 and 6 are part of the interlock circuit of the converter unit 1, which is configured to switch the electrical components arranged in the housing space 3 to de-voltage when the control device of the interlock circuit detects a disconnection of the electrical connection. For this purpose, two lines 7 leading to the control unit are connected to the first connector 5, which has two contact elements connected to the lines 7. The second connector 6 includes a bridge that short-circuits the lines 7 in a first position and keeps the contact elements unloaded in a second position.

[0036] The converter housing 2 includes a locking device 8 for securing the first connector 5 within the converter housing 2 via a locking connection. Figure 1 In the locked state, the locking connection 8 prevents the first connector 5 from moving along a first spatial direction 9x and a second spatial direction 9z perpendicular to the first spatial direction, wherein the second spatial direction 9z points from the bottom 17 of the receiving space 3 to the cover portion 4. For this purpose, the locking device 8 has locking elements 10 and 11, which engage with corresponding locking elements 12 and 13 of the first connector 5 in the locked state. Here, locking elements 10 and 11 are configured as inwardly pointing locking lugs, and locking elements 12 and 13 are configured as outwardly pointing locking lugs. The locking device 8 also includes a recess into which the protrusion 15 of the first connector 5 engages in the locked state and forms a blocking portion for preventing movement of the protrusion 15 along the first spatial direction 9x.

[0037] from Figure 1 It can also be seen that the first connector 5 has two lever-operated actuating elements 18 and 19, which protrude beyond the locking device 8 in the second spatial direction 9z. When connectors 5 and 6 are not connected to each other, the actuating elements 18 and 19 can be manipulated to release the locking connection and facilitate the elastic deformation of the locking elements 12 and 13. Figure 1 In the connected state shown, particularly in the first position of the cover portion 4, the second connector 6 prevents the movement of the operating elements 18 and 19. For this purpose, the second connector 6 has a first stop surface 20a for the operating element 18 and a second stop surface 20b for the operating element 19. The stop surfaces 20a and 20b restrict the movement path of the operating elements 18 and 19 for releasing the locking connection in such a way that the operating elements 18 and 19 stop against the stop surfaces 20a and 20b before releasing the locking connection.

[0038] Figure 2 This is another detailed cross-sectional view of the converter device 1 according to the first embodiment when the first connector 5 is inserted into the locking device 8.

[0039] It can be seen that the locking elements 12 and 13 of the first connector 5 are elastically deformable in order to establish engagement with the locking device 8. By manipulating the actuating elements 18 and 19, the locking elements 12 and 13 can be deformed, allowing them to be inserted into the locking device between the locking elements 10 and 11 of the locking device 8, or to release the locked state to remove the first connector 5. As described above, the actuating elements 18 and 19 are only used for... Figure 2 The connectors 5 and 6 shown can only move along the operating path set for releasing the locking connection when they are not connected to each other.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a plan view of the locking device 8.

[0041] It can be seen that the locking elements 10 and 11 of the locking device 8 are rounded, so that they prevent the first connector 5 (see...) Figure 1 In the locked state, it moves in the third spatial direction 9y, which is perpendicular to the first spatial direction 9x and the second spatial direction 9z. The way it moves is that the locking element locks the locking elements 12 and 13 in the third spatial direction 9y.

[0042] Optionally, the anti-torsion portion 16, indicated by the dashed line, can be provided by a notch in the locking device 8, which prevents the first connector 5, having a protruding section corresponding to the notch, from being inserted into the locking device 8 in a manner that rotates 180° relative to the second spatial direction 9z. Alternatively, the anti-torsion portion 16 can be implemented by providing a protruding section in the locking device 8 and a corresponding notch in the first connector 5.

[0043] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the locking device 8 according to the first embodiment.

[0044] from Figure 4 As can be seen, the converter housing 2 has a housing body 21, and the housing body has two protrusions 22 and 23 pointing towards the receiving space 3. The housing body 21 and the protrusions 22 and 23 are integrally formed from a metal casting. A locking device 8 made of plastic is fixed to the protrusions 22 and 23. Figure 4 A through opening 24 in the bottom 17 of the converter housing 2 is also shown, which will be discussed later.

[0045] Alternatively, the locking device 8, having the housing body 21, can be constructed as a casting made of metal, and can be machined, for example, by a disc milling cutter. Figure 3The locking device 8 has locking elements 10 and 11.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the first connector 5 and locking device 8 according to a second embodiment of the converter device 1a, compared with a first embodiment of the converter device 1. The dividing plane 25 facilitates the comparison of the embodiments, and the first connector 5 and locking device 8 according to the two embodiments are symmetrical with respect to this dividing plane.

[0047] According to the second embodiment, the first connector 5 obviously does not have a protrusion 15, but instead covers the recess 14 of the locking device 8. It can be seen that the protrusion 23 in the second embodiment can be constructed lower relative to the second spatial direction 9z, which greatly facilitates their manufacture during the casting process.

[0048] Figure 6 This is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the converter device 1b, which corresponds to the first embodiment of the converter device 1 except for the following differences.

[0049] It can be seen that the locking elements 10 and 11 of the locking device 8 are constructed in a straight line, so they do not prevent the first connector from moving along the third spatial direction 9y, but this makes it easier to manufacture.

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the drive device 26.

[0051] The drive unit includes a motor 27 and a converter device 1 according to one of the above embodiments. The motor is configured to drive a vehicle, such as a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a hybrid vehicle. The converter housing 2, together with the motor housing 28 that houses the motor 27, is part of the housing 29 of the drive unit 26.

[0052] The converter housing 2 has another receiving space 3a, in which the electrical semiconductor switch of the converter device 1 is arranged and is not covered by the cover part 4 (see Figure 1 The electrical components housed in the converter housing 2 are the connection mechanism between the semiconductor switch and the motor 27. Through opening 24 (see also...) Figure 4 This allows the connecting mechanism to be threaded into the motor housing 28. Therefore, the converter housing 2 can also be considered as a connecting box.

Claims

1. A converter device (1), comprising: - A converter housing (2) having a housing (3) for electrical components of the converter device (1) and a cover (4) for the housing (3). - First connector (5), the first connector (5) is fixed or can be fixed in the receiving space (3), and - A second connector (6), which is fixed to the cover (4) and configured to form an electrical connection with the first connector (5) in a first position of the cover (4), and to disconnect the electrical connection when the cover (4) moves from the first position to a second position, wherein in the first position the cover (4) covers the receiving space (3), and in the second position the receiving space (3) is accessible. Its features are, The converter housing (2) has a locking device (8) for securing the first connector (5) in the converter housing (2) by a locking connection, the first connector (5) including one or more operating elements (18, 19) for releasing the locking connection, wherein the second connector (6) is configured to prevent the operation of the operating element or the individual operating elements (18, 19) to release the locking connection when the first connector (5) and the second connector (6) are connected to each other.

2. The converter device according to claim 1, wherein, In the locked state, the locking device (8) prevents the first connector (5) from moving along the first spatial direction (9x).

3. The converter device according to claim 2, wherein, The locking device (8) has a recess (14), the protrusion (15) of the first connector (5) engages in the recess (14) in the locked state, and the recess (14) constitutes a blocking part for preventing the protrusion (15) from moving along the first spatial direction (9x).

4. The converter device according to claim 3, wherein, The protrusion (15) and the recess (14) constitute an anti-torsion portion (16) for the first connector (5).

5. The converter device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein, In the locked state, the locking device (8) surrounds the first connector (5) on opposite sides, such that the locking device (8) prevents the first connector (5) from moving along a second spatial direction (9z) perpendicular to the first spatial direction (9x).

6. The converter device according to claim 5, wherein, The locking device (8) surrounds the first connector (5) in the locked state, such that the locking device (8) prevents the first connector (5) from moving along a third spatial direction (9y) that is perpendicular to the first spatial direction (9x) and the second spatial direction (9z).

7. The converter device according to claim 6, wherein, The locking device (8) has rounded locking elements (10, 11) that lock the first connector (5) in the third spatial direction.

8. The converter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The locking device (8) is fixed to one or two protrusions (22, 23) of the housing body (21) of the converter housing (2).

9. The converter device according to claim 8, wherein, The locking device (8) is made of plastic, and / or the housing body (21) is made of metal.

10. The converter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The first connector (5) has two opposing locking elements (12, 13).

11. The converter device according to claim 10, wherein, The locking elements (12, 13) of the first connector are elastically deformable for engaging with the locking device (8).

12. The converter device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The electrical component is the electrical connection mechanism of the AC voltage output terminal of the converter device (1).

13. A drive unit (26) for an electrically driven vehicle, comprising an electric motor (27) configured to drive the vehicle and a converter device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The converter device is configured to provide AC voltage to the motor (27).

14. The driving device according to claim 13, wherein, The converter housing (2) is part of the housing (29) that houses the converter unit (1) and the motor (27).

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