Arrangement for connecting electrical connections for a device for driving a compressor, device for driving a compressor, and related method and use

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement for connecting electrical connections for a device for driving a compressor, having a connection arrangement (9) with at least one electrically conductive connection element (13) and at least one contact device (15-1, 15-2) fixed in a PCB (12) for mounting the connection element (13) in the axial direction. The contact device (15-1, 15-2) has at least one spring contact element, which has an elastically deformable sheet-like contact spring in electrically conductive contact with the connecting element (13). The invention further relates to a method for installing an arrangement for connecting electrical connections, to a device for driving a steam-fluid compressor having such an arrangement, and to the use of a device according to the invention.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an application date of November 6, 2020, application number 202080047989.5 (international application number PCT / KR2020 / 015535), and invention name "Arrangement structure for connecting electrical connectors used in a device for driving a compressor and a device for driving a compressor". Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to an arrangement for connecting electrical connections for a device for driving a compressor. The invention also relates to a method for installing the arrangement and to a device, in particular an electric motor, for driving a compressor for compressing a vapour fluid, in particular a refrigerant. The compressor can be used in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle. Background Art

[0003] Compressors known from the prior art for mobile applications, in particular for motor vehicle air conditioning systems and for conveying refrigerant via a refrigerant circuit, also referred to as refrigerant compressors, are usually manufactured as piston compressors with variable displacement or as scroll compressors. The compressors are driven via a pulley or are electrically driven.

[0004] In addition to an electric motor for driving a suitable compression mechanism, an electrically driven compressor also has an inverter for driving the electric motor. The inverter is used to convert direct current from the power vehicle battery into alternating current that is supplied to the electric motor via electrical connections.

[0005] The inverter has plug connections for the plug-in connector, which are made as pins for making an electrical connection with the connections of the electric motor and thus for transmitting power from the inverter to the electric motor.The connections of the inverter may be arranged on a PCB.

[0006] Conventionally, glass-to-metal glands are used to guide plug-in connectors through housings. When manufacturing the glass-to-metal glands, the tolerances of all parts to be connected are added up. Large deviations in the alignment of the plug-in connectors for electrical connection to the connectors of the electric motor and inverter are to be compensated by both high flexibility and high precision.

[0007] Plug-in connectors cannot be connected directly to the inverter PCB due to the inability of currently available connection components to adequately compensate for the existing tolerances and due to the critical mechanical tensions that occur during PCB assembly, in particular when connecting the plug-in connector to the PCB. Therefore, the plug-in connector must be connected to the PCB indirectly, for example by busbars, welded stampings and bends, solid or flexible press-fit elements or clamps, threaded mating eyelets, plug-fit systems or stranded wires.

[0008] Contact elements known from the prior art and used for connecting plug-in connectors directly to a PCB require highly precise through-openings to be formed for a press fit, or alternatively they are to be soldered, which is both cost-intensive and very time-consuming as an additional process step.

[0009] WO 2015 146677A1 describes an electrically driven compressor having a compression arrangement, an electric motor for driving the compression arrangement, and an inverter for supplying current to the electric motor. The electric motor has a rotor and a stator, and a connector housing, the stator having an electrically insulating bobbin arranged on the end of the stator core and a coil arranged on the bobbin, and the connector housing having a connector for electrically connecting the coil to the inverter by means of a pin made as a plug-in connector. The end of the plug-in connector aligned toward the inverter is connected to the inverter via a socket connector.

[0010] Thus, very complex systems with a large number of components and electrical switching points are known from the prior art. In addition, there is the risk that elements such as screws or bolts may become detached from the system. The known pressing techniques, selective welding and screw connections, require additional, time-consuming process steps during installation and production. Furthermore, geometrical or also thermal compensation of tolerances during installation or operation is generally not guaranteed. Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement for reliably and securely electrically connecting a connection element for a device, in particular an electric motor, for driving an electrically driven compressor for a vapour fluid, which arrangement can be produced in an easy and time-saving manner. The arrangement will comprise as few individual components as possible and will be easy to construct, also with a view to minimizing production costs. In particular, the complexity of the design of the arrangement and thus of the device will be minimized and errors will be eliminated. Furthermore, the arrangement will be manufactured in such a way that a reliable and optimal electrical connection for the system is ensured.

[0013] Solution

[0014] The object of the invention is achieved by the subject matter having the features of the independent patent claims. Further embodiments are specified in the dependent patent claims.

[0015] This object is achieved by an arrangement according to the invention for connecting an electrical connection for a device for driving a compressor, in particular through a housing or through a wall of a housing. The arrangement is manufactured as a connection arrangement with at least one electrically conductive connecting element and at least one contact device fixed in a PCB and intended to mount the connecting element in an axial direction.

[0016] According to the concept of the present invention, the contact device has at least one spring contact element, the spring contact element has an elastically deformable leaf contact spring, the leaf contact spring is in conductive contact with the connecting element, and preferably completely encloses the connecting element. Therefore, electrical contact is established between the contact device electrically connected to the PCB and the connecting element.

[0017] The connecting element is preferably used to connect the electrical connector to be mounted in the support element arranged on the stator of the device for driving the compressor to the electrical connector arranged outside the housing, in particular the electrical connector of the inverter. The support element can be manufactured with a mounting element, preferably with the electrical connector of the stator for mounting the connector housing. The connecting element can be inserted into the connector housing and into the electrical connector arranged in the connector housing.

[0018] Both the contact device and the connecting element are preferably made of an electrically conductive material, in particular metal.

[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, the contact device has at least one component which is manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve. A hollow cylindrical shape is also understood to mean a form which is closed at least on the end face of the cylinder.

[0020] The component of the contact device in the form of a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve is preferably manufactured with a first segment and a second segment, both of which extend in the axial direction and are connected to each other at the collar. Preferably, the first segment extends from the first end face to the collar, and the second segment extends from the second end face to the collar. The collar is manufactured so that the collar preferably protrudes beyond the outer surface of the segment in the radial direction and completely encloses the component. The diameter of the outer surface of the segment is preferably constant.

[0021] The collar is preferably aligned in a plane extending vertically with respect to a longitudinal axis of the component arranged in the axial direction.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a section of a component of the contact device in the form of a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve is inserted, in particular pressed, into a through opening formed in the PCB up to the collar and then soldered to the PCB.

[0023] Another advantage of the invention is that the leaf contact springs of the spring element are manufactured in the form of strips in the axial direction of the contact device. The leaf contact springs are preferably connected to each other at ends arranged opposite to each other. The connecting pieces of the leaf contact springs in the region of the end and end face of the hollow cylindrical part are each manufactured in the form of a circular ring.

[0024] In the initial state of the component, the leaf contact spring is provided with an outward or inward projection in the region between the ends in the radial direction, in particular a projection that is uniform over the length. The initial state is to be understood as a state when the arrangement or device is not assembled.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the connecting element is manufactured as a pin-shaped plug-in connector with a cylindrical shape and the connecting element is preferably in the shape of a straight pin. The connecting element can have a cylindrical shape with a substantially constant outer diameter at least in the area of ​​connection with the contact device.

[0026] The contact device and the connecting element are preferably aligned coaxially with respect to one another.

[0027] According to a first alternative embodiment of the present invention, the contact device has a first contact element and a second contact element manufactured separately from the first contact element. Advantageously, the first contact element manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve, in particular having a closed end face, is arranged on the outer surface of the second contact element in the radial direction, so that the second contact element is completely enclosed and enclosed, resulting in the second contact element being completely positioned inside the first contact element, and the contact elements are coaxially arranged and aligned with each other.

[0028] The first contact element, which is manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve, has an opening with an inner diameter which is preferably constant over its length, extending from a first end face to a second end face which is particularly manufactured as a closed end face for mounting the second contact element.

[0029] The second contact element is preferably manufactured as a spring contact element with an elastically deformable leaf contact spring and is arranged such that the second contact element preferably completely encloses the connection element and establishes electrical contact. The second contact element has an inner diameter in the region of each end face which is substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the plug-in connector, so that when the arrangement is assembled, the inner surface of each of the leaf contact springs is in elastic contact with the outer surface of the plug-in connector. The leaf contact springs are connected to each other at ends arranged opposite to each other, wherein the connecting elements are each manufactured preferably in the form of a circular ring. The circular ring is preferably manufactured with a slot-shaped opening extending in particular in the axial direction, so that the diameter of the circular ring is variable.

[0030] Furthermore, a particular advantage is that in the initial state of the second contact element or when the arrangement is not assembled, the leaf contact spring is manufactured to have an outward protrusion in the radial direction, wherein the second contact element has a maximum outer diameter in the portion where the leaf contact spring is manufactured. The maximum outer diameter in the portion where the leaf contact spring is manufactured is larger than the inner diameter of the first contact element manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve, and when the arrangement is assembled, the leaf contact springs are each elastically deformed and contact the inner surface of the first contact element via the outer surface of the leaf contact spring.

[0031] The second contact element is manufactured with a locking mechanism which faces preferably radially inwards on the end face of the ring facing outwards in the axial direction. When the second contact element is arranged on the plug-in connector, the locking mechanism serves as a stop.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the first contact element of the contact device, which is manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve, has a first part and a second part, each of which extends in the axial direction and the two parts are connected to each other at the collar. The first part extends from the first end face to the collar and the first part is specially manufactured to have a larger range in the axial direction than the second part extending from the second end face to the collar.

[0033] The first part of the first contact element is preferably inserted, in particular pressed, into a through-opening formed in the PCB, preferably up to the collar, and then soldered to the PCB.

[0034] According to a second alternative embodiment of the invention, the contact device is manufactured as a one-piece component with a first contact area and a second contact area. The contact area manufactured as a hollow cylindrical sleeve has an opening, in particular a through opening, which extends from the first end face of the contact device to the second end face and is intended for mounting a connecting element.

[0035] The second contact area is preferably manufactured as a spring contact element with an elastically deformable leaf contact spring and is arranged so that the second contact area preferably completely encloses the connection element and establishes electrical contact. In the initial state of the contact device, the leaf contact spring is manufactured with an inward protrusion in the radial direction, wherein the contact device has a minimum inner diameter in the second contact area manufactured with the leaf contact spring. The minimum inner diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the connection element, and when the arrangement is assembled, the inner surface of each of the leaf contact springs contacts the outer surface of the connection element.

[0036] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the contact areas of the sleeve made in the shape of a hollow cylinder each extend in the axial direction and are connected to each other at the collar. The first contact area extends from the first end face to the collar and the first contact area is specially made to have a smaller extent in the axial direction than the second contact area extending from the second end face to the collar.

[0037] The first contact region of the contact device is preferably inserted, in particular pressed, into a through-opening formed in the PCB, in particular up to the collar, and then soldered to the PCB.

[0038] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the connection arrangement is manufactured with at least one electrically conductive connection element and a mounting element, wherein the connection element completely enclosed by the mounting element is arranged and connected to the retaining element in a secure and fluid-tight manner via the structural element, so that the connection element protrudes beyond the retaining element in each case with a first region and a second region. The first region of the connection element is arranged such that it is connected to a device for driving the compressor.

[0039] The mounting element is preferably manufactured in plate-like form and has surfaces arranged opposite to one another and at least one through-opening for mounting at least one connecting element, wherein a first region and a second region of the connecting element protrude beyond the surfaces arranged opposite to one another of the mounting element and a third region of the connecting element is arranged inside the through-opening. The regions of the connecting element are aligned along a common axis, in particular a longitudinal axis.

[0040] Another advantage of the present invention is that the groove formed between the connecting element and the mounting element, in particular between the third area of ​​the connecting element and the mounting element, in particular between the connecting element and the wall of the mounting element surrounding the through opening, is filled by the structural element. The structural element is preferably manufactured as a glass structural element.

[0041] The object of the invention is also achieved by a device according to the invention for driving a compressor, which is a compressor of a vapor fluid, in particular an electric motor. The device has a housing and a rotor extending along a common longitudinal axis and a fixed stator.

[0042] The stator is preferably positioned on the outer surface of the rotor in the radial direction so as to surround the rotor.

[0043] According to the concept of the present invention, a support element having a mounting element for mounting at least one connecting element and an arrangement for connecting an electrical connector is manufactured on the first end face of the stator and is aligned in the axial direction.

[0044] In this context, the term "axial direction" is to be understood as the direction of the longitudinal axis of the stator, which also corresponds to the longitudinal axis and the axis of rotation of the rotor. The end faces aligned in the axial direction are arranged in a plane extending vertically relative to the longitudinal axis.

[0045] The object of the present invention is also achieved by a method according to the present invention for installing an arrangement for connecting electrical connections for a device for driving a compressor. The method comprises the following steps:

[0046] - connecting at least one contact device to the PCB, wherein the contact device is inserted through the through-opening in the PCB, always guided with the first end face of the contact device, until the contact device contacts a collar on the PCB, and

[0047] - soldering the contact device to the PCB, and

[0048] - attaching a spring contact element of the contact device with an elastically deformable leaf-shaped contact spring to the connecting element so that the contact device with the spring contact element is in electrically conductive contact with the connecting element and an electrical connection is established between the PCB and the connecting element.

[0049] According to a first alternative embodiment of the invention, at least one first contact element of the contact device is connected to the PCB and at least one second contact element is attached to the connecting element. Furthermore, the PCB with the at least one first contact element itself firmly connected to the PCB is pressed onto the plug-in connector with the at least one second contact element itself attached to the plug-in connector, so that the second contact element and the plug-in connector are arranged inside the first contact element.

[0050] When the second contact element is inserted into the opening of the first contact element, each leaf contact spring of the spring contact element comes into contact with the inner surface of the first contact element and is elastically deformed, so that an electrical connection is established between the contact elements of the contact device.

[0051] According to a second alternative embodiment of the invention, at least one contact device is connected to the PCB in a first contact area. In addition, the PCB with the contact device, which is itself firmly connected to the PCB, is pressed onto the plug-in connector with a second contact area, so that the plug-in connector is arranged at least inside the second contact area of ​​the contact device.

[0052] When the contact device with the second contact region is pressed onto the plug-in connector, the individual leaf-shaped contact springs of the spring contact element preferably come into contact with the outer surface of the plug-in connector and deform elastically, so that an electrical connection is established between the contact device and the plug-in connector.

[0053] An advantageous embodiment of the invention allows the use of a device for driving a compressor, in particular an electric motor, for a compressor of a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, the compressor being for compressing a vapor fluid.

[0054] Advantageous Effects of the Invention

[0055] In summary, it can be said that the arrangement according to the invention for connecting an electrical connection or the device according to the invention for driving a vapor fluid compressor having such an arrangement has various other advantages:

[0056] - A minimum number of components with low requirements in terms of mechanical and thermal precision and tolerances, such as those of the connecting elements inside the structural element, since it can be ensured that large tolerances are compensated, and therefore also

[0057] - Low space requirement and large available construction space at the inverter;

[0058] – direct mounting of arrangements in which the connection elements are in direct electrical contact with the PCB, in particular without the use of busbars in connection with selective or manual soldering, for example, because the PCB can be assembled automatically with other electronic components with minimal joining forces, wherein the contact device has an axial locking mechanism which also serves as an axial soldering area and the pre-tinned contact device can be soldered directly to the PCB without the need for pressing or screwing in or selective soldering of individual contact elements on the PCB and wave soldering can be performed using a reflow method;

[0059] - minimum electrical losses and maximum heat dissipation through a minimum number of electrical contacts arranged in series, in particular through heat-conducting plug-in connectors, and

[0060] - Minimum production cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0061] Further details, features and advantages of embodiments of the invention are apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show the following:

[0062] Figure 1a : An electrically driven compressor having a device for driving a compression mechanism, in particular an electric motor and an arrangement of an inverter is shown in cross section.

[0063] Figure 1b : A PCB of an inverter with a switching element and a connection arrangement structure according to the prior art is shown in a perspective view, and

[0064] Figure 1c : Shown in top view Figure 1b PCB with press-fit contact sleeves.

[0065] Figure 2a : A connection arrangement structure having a connecting element, a mounting element and a first contact device having a first contact element and a second contact element is shown in a three-dimensional diagram. The connection arrangement structure is used to connect the electrical connector of the electric motor with the electrical connector of the inverter.

[0066] Figure 2b to Figure 2d : The PCB side view, cross-sectional view and stereoscopic view show the inverter when it is mounted on the PCB. Figure 2a A connection arrangement structure of the first contact device.

[0067] Figure 2e to Figure 2h : Shown in overall stereogram and detail diagram Figure 2a to Figure 2d The second contact element of the first contact device.

[0068] Figure 3a and Figure 3b : A perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing the connection elements of the connection arrangement in a state when the inverter is mounted on a PCB, each with a second contact device, and

[0069] Figure 3c and Figure 3d : A second contact device having a first contact area and a second contact area is shown in a side view and a perspective view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0070] Figure 1a An electrically driven compressor 1 for a vapour fluid is shown in cross section, which is used in particular for an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle for conveying a refrigerant via a refrigerant circuit, and which has an arrangement of an electric motor 3 as a device 3 for driving a compression mechanism 4 and an inverter 5 arranged in a housing 2. The electric motor 3 is supplied with electrical energy via a switching device 6 of the inverter 5.

[0071] The electric motor 3 has a stator 7 having a substantially hollow cylindrical stator core and a coil wound on the stator core, and a rotor 8 arranged inside the stator 7. The rotor 8 is set to perform a rotational motion when electric energy is supplied to the coil of the stator 7 via a connection arrangement. A connection arrangement 9 is made at the end surface of the stator 7 and has a plurality of electrical connections.

[0072] The rotor 8 is coaxially arranged inside the stator 7 and is arranged such that the rotor 8 can rotate about the rotation axis. The drive shaft 10 can be manufactured integrally with the rotor 8 or as a separate element.

[0073] The electric motor 3 and the compression mechanism 4 of a scroll compressor manufactured as a fixed scroll and a movable scroll are arranged in a volume enclosed by a housing 2, wherein the housing 2 is manufactured from a first housing element for mounting the electric motor 3 and a second housing element for mounting the compression mechanism 4, and is preferably manufactured from metal, in particular aluminum.

[0074] The movable scroll of the compression mechanism 4 in which a vapor fluid, in particular a refrigerant, is compressed is driven by a drive shaft 10 connected to a rotor 8 of an electric motor 3. According to an embodiment not shown here, the compression mechanism can also be manufactured with a wobble plate, for example.

[0075] The switching device 6 for controlling the operation of the electric motor 3 has a PCB 12 manufactured with various switching elements 11. Various control circuits and components are mounted and electrically connected on the PCB 12, and are supplied with electric energy from an external power source.

[0076] A support element having a mounting element having a connection channel for a connector housing having connection terminals is arranged on the end face of the stator 7. The connection terminals of the connector housing are used as components for electrical connection between the coil of the electric motor and the inverter, in particular, conductive pin-shaped connection elements, which are inserted through the connection channels of the mounting element of the support element and plugged into the connection terminals of the connector housing.

[0077] Figure 1b A PCB 12 ′ with a switching element 11 and a connection arrangement 9 ′ with a contact sleeve 15 ′ pressed into the PCB 12 ′ of an inverter according to the prior art are shown in a perspective view. Figure 1c The top view shows the Figure 1b The PCB 12' has a contact sleeve 15' pressed into the PCB 12'.

[0078] The electrically conductive pin-shaped connecting elements 13' of the connecting arrangement 9' represent the connecting elements for connecting to the electrical connections of the electric motor (not shown here), which are connected to the inverter via contact sleeves 15' which are pressed into the PCB 12'. The connecting elements 13', also called plug-in connectors, are fixed parallel to each other inside the mounting element 14'. The contact sleeves 15' are also parallel to each other and are arranged at the same gap as the plug-in connectors 13' of the connecting arrangement 9' for mounting the plug-in connectors 13'. The contact sleeves 15' are pressed directly into the PCB 12'.

[0079] In order to electrically connect the various components to each other, busbars 16 are selectively soldered on the PCB 12'. For example, each contact sleeve 15' is electrically and mechanically connected to the busbar 16 at the end of the busbar 16.

[0080] When the arrangement is assembled, the plug connectors 13' are each inserted into a contact sleeve 15'. The plug connectors 13' and the contact sleeve 15' are manufactured so that each plug connector 13' contacts with an outer surface the inner surface of the hollow cylindrical contact sleeve 15' in such a way that electrical contact is established.

[0081] The purpose of the indirect contact produced by the busbar 16 is to compensate for the tolerances present when arranging the individual components of the electrical connection. In addition, this indirect contact can only be realized in conjunction with a relatively long and flexible busbar 16.

[0082] Figure 2a A connection arrangement 9, in particular a glass-metal gland, is shown in a three-dimensional diagram. The connection arrangement 9 has a connection element 13, a mounting element 14, a structural element 17, and a first contact device 15-1 having a first contact element 15-1a and a second contact element 15-1b. The connection arrangement 9 is used to electrically connect a connector arranged in a connector housing of an electric motor with a connector of an inverter.

[0083] The connecting element 13 is inserted through the plate-like mounting element 14. Each connecting element 13 in the form of a straight pin, also referred to below as a plug-in connector 13, is arranged so that three different areas are formed which are aligned along a common axis, in particular along a longitudinal axis. The first area and the second area each protrude beyond a mutually oppositely arranged surface of the plate-like mounting element 14. The third area of ​​the plug-in connector 13 is arranged in each case inside the mounting element 14.

[0084] The plug connectors 13, which are preferably manufactured as straight cylinders with a constant diameter over the entire length, are each arranged with a third region in a through-opening located inside the mounting element 14. The inner diameter of the through-opening corresponds to the outer diameter of the plug-in connector 13 plus a clearance for mounting and fixing the plug-in connector 13 inside the through-opening. The groove created between the plug-in connector 13 and the wall surrounding the mounting element 14 is filled by a structural element 17, in particular a glass structural element. The structural element 17, which fills the groove and is preferably manufactured from glass, serves on the one hand to fix the plug-in connector 13 inside the through-opening and thus on the mounting element 14, and on the other hand to isolate the electrically conductive plug-in connector 13 from the mounting element 14, wherein the structural element 17 protrudes in the direction of the plug-in connector 13 beyond the plane of the corresponding surface of the mounting element 14. The projections of the structural elements 17 are each substantially in the form of a cone or a truncated cone.

[0085] The arrangement of the plug-in connector 13 inside the mounting element 14 is subject to manufacturing tolerances, as it is difficult to set and reproduce, in particular because the tolerances of all tools are added together during manufacturing. Deviations are to be compensated both by high flexibility and high precision.

[0086] For a secure electrical connection and to compensate for existing tolerances, a first embodiment of the contact device 15-1 has two contact elements 15-1a, 15-1b, which are arranged coaxially with each other and extend along a common longitudinal axis when the contact device 15-1 is assembled. The first contact element 15-1a, which is essentially made as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve with a closed end face, is positioned in the radial direction on the outer surface of the second contact element 15-1b, so that the first contact element 15-1a completely encloses the second contact element 15-1b, wherein the second contact element 15-1b is made as a spring contact element, in particular a spring contact element with an elastically deformable leaf contact spring.

[0087] Figure 2a Both the second contact element 15-1b of the contact device 15-1, which is pressed onto the area of ​​the plug-in connector 13 that protrudes beyond the mounting element 14, and the first contact element 15-1a of the contact device 15-1 are shown, the first contact element 15-1a not being visible here. The second contact element 15-1b is arranged completely inside the first contact element 15-1a and is therefore concealed by the first contact element 15-1a.

[0088] The first contact element 15-1a is substantially in the form of a hollow cylindrical sleeve having a closed end face and a first portion and a second portion, each extending in the axial direction of the sleeve and connected to each other by a portion made as a collar 15a, in particular as a seat or flange. The collar 15a is made to surround the entire outer surface of the sleeve.

[0089] Therefore, the first portion extends from the first end face of the sleeve to the collar 15a and is made to have a larger extent in the axial direction than the second portion extending from the closed second end face of the sleeve to the collar 15a.

[0090] Furthermore, the sleeve has an opening for mounting the second contact element 15-1b, the opening having an inner diameter which is preferably constant over the entire length, being in particular made as a blind hole and extending from a first end face of the sleeve to a closed second end face. The closed end face of the first contact element 15-1a serves as a stop for the second contact element 15-1b when mounting the contact device 15-1 and serves to fix the second contact element 15-1b between the plug-in connector 13 and the first contact element 15-1a, wherein the closed end face of the first contact element 15-1a prevents an undesired displacement of the second contact element 15-1b along the plug-in connector 13 during mounting.

[0091] The hollow cylindrical first contact element 15-1a is manufactured with a substantially constant wall thickness in both the first part and the second part. The collar 15a is aligned on a plane extending vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the first contact element 15-1a and protrudes in the radial direction beyond the outer surface of the segment, so that the first contact element 15-1a is manufactured with a greater wall thickness in the region of the collar 15a.

[0092] The extension of the first contact element 15 - 1 a in the axial direction of its opening, in particular made as a blind hole, preferably corresponds substantially to the maximum length of the region of the plug-in connector 13 that protrudes beyond the mounting element 14 or the structural element 17 .

[0093] Figure 2b to Figure 2d The side view, cross-sectional view and stereoscopic view of the PCB 12 show the inverter having the configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention when the inverter is mounted on the PCB 12. Figure 2a The connection arrangement structure 9 of the contact device 15-1.

[0094] The first contact element 15-1a is arranged directly in the PCB 12 and soldered to the PCB 12, wherein the contact sleeve is always inserted through the through opening in the PCB with its first end face guided until the flange-shaped or raised collar 15a contacts the surface of the PCB 12. The collar 15a thus serves as an axial stop and support during installation. On the one hand, the first contact element 15-1a protrudes beyond the PCB 12 on the first surface of the PCB 12 with the first part of the first contact element 15-1a and the collar 15a. On the other hand, the first contact element 15-1a protrudes beyond the PCB 12 on the second surface of the PCB 12 with a part of the first part.

[0095] The diameter of the through opening to be formed in the PCB 12 corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of the first portion of the first contact element 15-1a plus a gap for mounting and soldering the components. The surface of the first contact element 15-1a made of metal is processed, in particular coated, in particular tinned, for example by a reflow soldering process.

[0096] The form and design of the first contact element 15-1a are suitable for automatic completion of the PCB 12. After the first contact element 15-1a is automatically seated in the through-opening of the PCB 12, the first contact element 15-1a is connected to the PCB 12 by soft soldering. Furthermore, the collar 15a made as an axial stop provides a sufficient soldering groove during the soldering process in order to bear all loads during installation and operation.

[0097] During the installation process, the second contact element 15-1b, which is also manufactured as a sleeve-shaped spring contact element, in particular with an elastically deformable leaf contact spring, is attached to one of the plug-in connectors 13 of the connection arrangement 9, which are coupled via the mounting element 14. The wall of the second contact element 15-1b is manufactured in the form of a circular ring in the region of the end face and bulges uniformly outward in the radial direction in the region of the leaf contact spring. The leaf contact springs manufactured in a strip shape are connected to each other on the end face. Figure 2e to Figure 2h The second contact element 15 - 1 b of the first contact device 15 - 1 is shown in an exploded view and in a perspective overall view as well as in a detail view.

[0098] The second contact element 15-1b has an inner diameter in the region of each end face that is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the plug-in connector 13, and when the arrangement is assembled, the inner surface of each of the leaf contact springs contacts the outer surface of the plug-in connector 13, so that an electrical contact with the plug-in connector 13 is established. In order to be able to apply the spring force during installation and when the arrangement is assembled, the ring is made with a preferably slot-shaped opening 18 in the region of the end face of the wall of the second contact element 15-1b and is in particular completely slotted in the axial direction. The opening 18 allows the diameter of the ring to be at least slightly enlarged so that the required spring force can be generated.

[0099] The second contact element 15-1b has a maximum outer diameter in the area formed by the leaf contact spring, which is larger than the inner diameter of the first contact element 15-1a. When the second contact element 15-1b is inserted into the opening of the first contact element 15-1a, each leaf contact comes into contact with the inner surface of the first contact element 15-1a and deforms elastically, so that an electrical connection is established between the contact elements 15-1a and 15-1b of the contact device 15-1.

[0100] According to the mounting sequence, due to the elastic deformation, the second contact element 15-1b is fixed in such a way that it cannot be lost in the area of ​​the end face on the plug-in connector 13 or in the area of ​​the leaf contact spring inside the first contact element 15-1a.

[0101] When assembling the arrangement structure, the PCB 12 having the first contact element 15-1a firmly connected to the PCB 12 is attached to the plug-in connector 13 of the connection arrangement structure 9, wherein the second contact element 15-1b is plugged onto the plug-in connector 13 so that the second contact element 15-1b and the plug-in connector 13 are arranged inside the first contact element 15-1a.

[0102] When the arrangement is in the assembled state, the second contact elements 15 - 1 b are each fixed within a gap between an outer surface of the plug-in connector 13 and an inner surface of the first contact element 15 - 1 a , which gap is made as a groove, in particular substantially as an annular groove.

[0103] The second contact element 15-1b is manufactured with a locking mechanism 19 on one of the annular end faces located on the side facing outward in the axial direction, which faces radially inward and serves as a stopper when installed on the plug-in connector 13 and fixes the second contact element 15-1b between the first contact element 15-1a and the plug-in connector 13. The locking mechanism 19 ensures that the second contact element 15-1b is only plugged into a certain position on the plug-in connector 13 and locked in place. The locking mechanism 19 can be manufactured, for example, according to Figure 2e and Figure 2f A radially inwardly facing fully enclosed collar or according to Figure 2g and Figure 2h Made as a separate element in the form of a hook or finger. Furthermore, embodiments of the locking mechanism with at least two separate elements, which are preferably arranged opposite each other, are conceivable.

[0104] When mounting, the first contact element 15-1a, the second contact element 15-1b and the plug-in connector 13 are aligned and arranged in such a way that existing tolerances are fully compensated to enable the plug-in connector 13 to be mounted even under extreme tolerance conditions and to establish an electrical connection between the PCB 12 and the plug-in connector 13.

[0105] Figure 3a and Figure 3b The plug-in connectors 13 of the connection arrangement 9 are shown in perspective and in cross section in a state when the inverter is mounted on the PCB 12 , the plug-in connectors 13 each having a second contact device 15 - 2 . Figure 3c and Figure 3d The second contact device 15 - 2 with a first contact region 15 - 2a and a second contact region 15 - 2b is shown in a side view and in a perspective detail view.

[0106] The second contact device 15-2 is also basically manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve for safe electrical connection and to compensate for tolerances existing between the plug-in connector 13 and the PCB 12, and has a first contact area 15-2a and a second contact area 15-2b extending along a common longitudinal axis. The contact device 15-2 is formed as a one-piece component with the contact areas 15-2a, 15-2b.

[0107] The first contact area 15-2a and the second contact area 15-2b are connected to each other via a part made as a collar 15a, in particular made as a seat or a flange. The collar 15a is made to surround the entire outer surface of the sleeve. Therefore, the first contact area 15-2a extends from the first end face of the sleeve to the collar 15a, and the first contact area 15-2a is made to have a smaller range in the axial direction than the second contact area 15-2b extending from the second end face of the sleeve to the collar 15a. In addition, the sleeve has an opening for mounting the plug-in connector 13, in particular a through opening, and the through opening therefore extends from the first end face of the sleeve to the second end face.

[0108] In the first contact area 15-2a, the hollow cylindrical contact device 15-2 is manufactured with a substantially constant wall thickness. The collar 15a is aligned on a plane extending vertically relative to the longitudinal axis of the first hollow cylindrical contact area 15-2a and protrudes in the radial direction beyond the outer surface of the contact areas 15-2a, 15-2b, so that the contact device 15-2 is manufactured with a greater wall thickness in the area of ​​the collar 15a.

[0109] The first contact area 15-2a is arranged directly in the PCB 12 and is soldered to the PCB 12, wherein the contact sleeve is always inserted through a through opening formed in the PCB 12 guided by the first end face of the contact sleeve and has a flange-like or raised collar 15a in contact with the surface of the PCB 12, the collar 15a being intended as an axial stop and support. The contact device 15-2 protrudes beyond the PCB 12 on the surface of the PCB 12, in particular with the second contact area 15-2b and the collar 15a. The first contact area 15-2a is arranged at least in a major part in the through opening of the PCB 12.

[0110] The diameter of the through opening to be formed in the PCB 12 corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of the first contact area 15-2a plus a gap for mounting and soldering components. The surface of the first contact device 15-2 made of metal is treated, in particular coated, in particular tinned, for example by a reflow soldering process.

[0111] After preferably automatic insertion of the contact device 15-2 into the through opening of the PCB 12, the contact device 15-2 is connected to the PCB 12 by means of soft soldering. Furthermore, the collar 15a made as an axial stop provides sufficient soldering grooves during the soldering process to bear all loads during installation and operation.

[0112] During assembly, the contact device 15-2 having the second contact area 15-2b made as a spring contact element, in particular a spring contact element with an elastically deformable leaf contact spring, is plugged onto the plug-in connector 13. The wall of the second contact area 15-2b is made in the form of a circular ring in the area of ​​the end face and bulges uniformly inwardly in the radial direction in the area of ​​the leaf contact spring. The leaf contact springs made in a strip shape are connected to each other on the end face, but in addition, the end face of the second contact area 15-2b is connected to the collar 15a.

[0113] The leaf contact spring is an integral part of the contact device 15-2. The leaf contact spring is manufactured from the original form of a cylindrical sleeve, wherein the wall of the sleeve is slotted several times in the axial direction or longitudinal direction in the second contact area 15-2b. Strips manufactured as described above with a constant and preferably identical width in the circumferential direction and with the same length in the axial direction are bent toward the inner surface of the sleeve, thereby producing the leaf contact spring. The leaf contact spring is arranged in an annular shape.

[0114] The extension of the second contact area 15 - 2 b in the axial direction preferably corresponds substantially to the maximum length of the area of ​​the plug-in connector 13 protruding beyond the PCB 12 .

[0115] The contact device 15-2 has an inner diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the plug-in connector 13 throughout the first contact area 15-2a and on each end face of the second contact area 15-2b, so that the inner surface of the contact device 15-2 contacts the outer surface of the plug-in connector 13 when the arrangement structure is assembled and thereby establishes an electrical connection with the plug-in connector 13, or the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the plug-in connector 13.

[0116] The second contact area 15-2b having a leaf contact spring deflected in a radial direction of the contact device 15-2 has a minimum inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the plug-in connector 13. When the plug-in connector 13 is inserted into the opening of the contact device 15-2, each leaf contact comes into contact with the outer surface of the plug-in connector 13 so that each leaf contact is elastically deformed, so that an electrical connection is established between the plug-in connector 13 and the contact device 15-2.

[0117] When assembling the arrangement, the PCB 12 is plugged onto the plug connectors 13 arranged in and firmly fixed to the PCB 12, so that the plug connectors 13 are arranged inside the contact means 15-2. Each of the plug connectors 13 is completely enclosed by the contact means 15-2.

[0118] In the assembled state, the contact device 15 - 2 and the plug connector 13 are aligned and arranged in such a way that existing tolerances are sufficiently compensated to enable mounting of the plug connector 13 also under extreme tolerance conditions and to establish an electrical connection between the PCB 12 and the plug connector 13 .

[0119] Industrial Applicability

[0120] The invention relates to an arrangement for connecting electrical connections for a device for driving a compressor. The invention also relates to a method for installing the arrangement and to a device, in particular an electric motor, for driving a compressor for compressing a vapour fluid, in particular a refrigerant. The compressor can be used in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle.

Claims

1. An arrangement for connecting an electrical connector for a device for driving a compressor, the arrangement comprising a connection arrangement (9), the connection arrangement (9) having at least one electrically conductive connection element (13) and at least one contact device (15-1) fixed in a PCB (12) for mounting the connection element (13) in an axial direction, characterized in that: The contact device (15-1) has at least one spring contact element, which has an elastically deformable leaf-shaped contact spring in electrically conductive contact with the connecting element (13). The contact device (15-1) comprises a first contact element (15-1a) and a second contact element (15-1b) manufactured separately from the first contact element (15-1a). The first contact element (15-1a) manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve is arranged on the outer surface of the second contact element (15-1b) in the radial direction, so that the second contact element (15-1b) is completely enclosed. wherein the second contact element (15-1b) is manufactured as a spring contact element having an elastically deformable leaf contact spring and is arranged so that the second contact element (15-1b) encloses the connecting element (13) and establishes electrical contact, and The second contact element (15-1b) is manufactured with a locking mechanism (19), and the locking mechanism (19) faces radially inward on the end surface facing outward in the axial direction.

2. The arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that The first contact element (15-1a) has a first portion and a second portion, each of the first portion and the second portion extending in the axial direction and connected to each other at a collar (15a).

3. The arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that The first portion extends from the first end surface to the collar (15a), and the second portion extends from the second end surface to the collar (15a).

4. Arrangement according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that The collar (15a) is manufactured such that the collar (15a) protrudes beyond the outer surface of the portion in a radial direction and completely encloses the first contact element (15-1a).

5. Arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that The collar (15a) is aligned on a plane extending vertically relative to a longitudinal axis of the first contact element (15-1a) arranged in the axial direction.

6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The leaf contact spring of the spring element is manufactured in a strip shape in the axial direction of the contact device (15-1).

7. The arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that The leaf-shaped contact springs are connected to one another at ends arranged opposite to one another, wherein the connecting pieces are each manufactured in the form of a circular ring.

8. The arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that In the initial state of the component, the leaf-shaped contact spring is produced with a projection pointing inwards or outwards in the radial direction in the region between the ends.

9. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The connecting element (13) is manufactured as a pin-shaped plug-in connector having a cylindrical shape.

10. The arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that The connecting element (13) is manufactured to have a cylindrical shape.

11. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The contact device (15-1) and the connecting element (13) are arranged coaxially and aligned with each other.

12. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The first contact element (15-1a) manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve has an opening extending from a first end surface to a second end surface, and the opening is used for mounting the second contact element (15-1b).

13. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that The leaf-shaped contact springs are connected to each other at ends arranged opposite to each other, and the connecting pieces are each in the form of a circular ring, wherein the circular ring is manufactured with a slot-shaped opening (18).

14. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that In the initial state of the second contact element (15-1b), the leaf-like contact spring is manufactured so that the leaf-like contact spring has an outward protrusion in the radial direction, wherein the second contact element (15-1b) has a maximum outer diameter in the portion where the leaf-like contact spring is manufactured, and the maximum outer diameter is larger than the inner diameter of the first contact element (15-1a) which is manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve, and when the arrangement structure is assembled, the leaf-like contact springs are each elastically deformed and contact the inner surface of the first contact element (15-1a) via the outer surface.

15. Arrangement according to one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that The first portion of the first contact element (15-1a) manufactured as a hollow cylindrical contact sleeve is inserted into a through opening formed in the PCB (12) and then soldered to the PCB (12).

16. A device for driving a compressor, the compressor being a compressor for a vapour fluid, the device comprising a rotor (8) and a stator (7) and a housing (2), the rotor (8) and the stator (7) being arranged along a common longitudinal axis, characterized in that: A support element having mounting elements for mounting at least one connecting element (13) aligned in the axial direction and an arrangement for connecting an electrical connector according to one of claims 1 to 15 are produced on a first end face of the stator (7).

17. A method for installing an arrangement for connecting electrical connections for a device for driving a compressor according to one of claims 1 to 15, the method comprising the following steps: - connecting at least one contact device (15-1) to the PCB (12), wherein Inserting the contact device (15-1) through a through opening formed in the PCB (12) while always being guided by the first end face of the contact device (15-1) until the contact device (15-1) contacts the PCB (12) with a collar (15a); and - soldering the contact device (15-1) to the PCB (12), - Attaching the spring contact element of the contact device (15-1) having an elastically deformable leaf contact spring to the connecting element (13), so that the contact device (15-1) having the spring contact element is in conductive contact with the connecting element (13) and an electrical connection is established between the PCB (12) and the connecting element (13).

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that At least one first contact element (15-1a) of the contact device (15-1) is connected to the PCB (12), and at least one second contact element (15-1b) is attached to the connecting element (13), and the PCB (12) having at least one first contact element (15-1a) firmly connected to the PCB (12) is pressed onto the plug-in connector (13) having at least one second contact element (15-1b) attached to the plug-in connector (13), so that the second contact element (15-1b) is arranged inside the first contact element (15-1a).

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that When the second contact element (15-1b) is inserted into the opening of the first contact element (15-1a), each leaf contact spring of the spring contact element comes into contact with the inner surface of the first contact element (15-1a) and deforms elastically, so that an electrical connection is established between the contact elements (15-1a, 15-1b) of the contact device (15-1).

20. Use of a device for driving a compressor according to claim 16, in particular an electric motor, for a compressor of a refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit of an air conditioning system of a motor vehicle, the compressor being for compressing a vapor fluid.

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