Electrical insulation device for a bus bar

Abstract

An insulation device (3) for a bus bar is disclosed, comprising a support (4) and at least one cover (5) made of an electrically insulating material and attached to the support (4), the at least one cover (5) being slidably mounted on the support (4) by means of at least one guide member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical insulation device for a busbar and to an insulation assembly comprising such a device. In particular, the busbar in question is intended for use in a vehicle, such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The invention also relates to a method for installing an insulation assembly according to the invention. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, bus bars (the name for interconnecting bars) are used to interconnect various modules of an electrical energy storage device (also referred to as a battery or battery pack).

[0003] In particular in the automotive industry, such busbars are used to electrically interconnect a plurality of modules in order to form an electrical energy storage device capable of supplying power to the drive train of an electric or hybrid vehicle. Thus, the use of busbars allows combining the storage capacity and power capacity of different modules.

[0004] However, the busbars are capable of conducting high voltages, which may be, for example, of the order of 400 V. It is therefore essential to protect any technician or user who may work on the storage device, especially anyone responsible for assembling or removing the storage device. In particular, in this case, the IPXXB electrical insulation standard must be met, which seeks to prevent users from touching high voltage live parts with their fingers.

[0005] To this end, as disclosed in international application WO2021 / 045395, it is known practice to fit insulating housings around live parts and / or live areas. However, the use of such a principle may complicate the area around the end portions of the busbars arranged to be in contact with the terminals of the module, in which areas the busbars are fixed (in particular fastened with screw threads) to the module. It is therefore necessary to make such end portions accessible.

[0006] In this regard, it is known practice to use an insulating housing comprising folding flaps or covers. However, such housings have the disadvantage of being bulky and unsuitable for use in confined spaces due to the space required to open and close the flaps. Summary of the invention

[0007] The present invention falls into this situation and seeks to provide an electrical insulation device for busbars that overcomes the above-mentioned drawbacks. In particular, the present invention seeks to propose an electrical insulation device that is compact and simple to use.

[0008] The invention relates to an electrical insulation device for a busbar, comprising a support made of an electrically insulating material configured to cover the busbar and at least one removable electrically insulating cover attached to the support:

[0009] - the support comprises at least one orifice, which can extend towards at least one fixing device for fixing the busbar, and a guide groove for guiding the at least one cover;

[0010] The at least one cover comprises a body and is slidably mounted on the support via at least one guide member connected to the body so as to be movable in a guide slot between a first position in which the at least one orifice is uncovered and a second position in which the at least one orifice is covered by the body.

[0011] It is worth noting that the guiding components may include:

[0012] a retaining member for retaining the cover relative to the support, the retaining member comprising a deformable portion, in particular in the form of a clip, configured to cooperate with at least one edge of the guide slot in order to prevent a movement of the cover relative to the support in at least one direction; and / or

[0013] - at least one positioning member for positioning the cover in at least one of the first position or the second position, the guide groove comprising at least one positioning element, such as a recess, having a shape complementary to that of said positioning member, thereby defining said position.

[0014] The body of the at least one cover may include a grip facilitating member that is arranged on an end side of the body and configured to extend from the support as a protrusion in at least one direction.

[0015] In particular, the insulating device may comprise a plurality of cover elements. The support element then comprises a plurality of guide grooves, each of said grooves being configured to cooperate with one of the cover elements of the plurality of cover elements.

[0016] According to one embodiment option, the support may comprise at least one wall and at least one attached removable portion configured to be fixed on the at least one wall, the removable portion comprising the at least one aperture and a guide slot for guiding the at least one cover.

[0017] Likewise, the support may include a poka-yoke slit extending through the thickness of the support and leading to the at least one aperture, and the cover includes a poka-yoke device protruding from the body and configured to cooperate with the poka-yoke slit so as to extend through the poka-yoke slit and protrude from the support.

[0018] Advantageously, the insulation device may further comprise a marking arranged on the support and indicating a correct or incorrect positioning of the at least one cover, the cover being configured to at least partially cover said marking depending on whether the cover is in the first position or the second position.

[0019] The invention also relates to an electrical insulation assembly for a busbar, comprising an insulation device according to the invention and a busbar.

[0020] The electrical insulation assembly may further include at least one fixing device arranged to face the at least one aperture and mounted on the bus bar, the fixing device being a captive screw.

[0021] The electrical insulation assembly may also be configured such that:

[0022] - the support is overmoulded onto the busbar; or

[0023] The insulation assembly further comprises an electrically insulating substrate configured to cooperate with the support, the substrate extending at least on one side of the busbar, and the support extending at least on an opposite side of the busbar relative to the substrate.

[0024] The invention may also extend to a cover for an electrical insulation device of a busbar as explained above, the cover being made of insulating material and comprising:

[0025] - a body, in particular a flat or substantially flat body;

[0026] - at least one guide member connected to the body and protruding from the body, the guide member being configured to cooperate with and move relative to the support, the guide member moving in the guide slot between first positions.

[0027] The present invention finally relates to a method for installing an electrical insulation assembly according to the present invention, the method comprising: positioning a busbar on a module of an electrical energy storage device; positioning at least one fixing device to fix the busbar to the module; and moving at least one cover from a first position to a second position by sliding relative to a support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Further details, features and advantages will become more apparent on reading the following detailed description given by way of non-limiting indication with respect to a number of different embodiment examples illustrated in the following drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of an assembly and apparatus for electrical insulation of a bus bar.

[0030] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of components and devices for electrical insulation of bus bars.

[0031] Figure 3 It is a perspective schematic diagram of components and devices for electrical insulation of bus bars.

[0032] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an alternative example of an embodiment of an assembly and apparatus for electrical insulation of a bus bar.

[0033] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the fixing equipment and error-proofing devices included in the electrical insulation assembly.

[0034] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a cover for an electrical insulation assembly.

[0035] Figure 7 is a perspective schematic diagram of a cover including a guide member.

[0036] Figure 8 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the cover.

[0037] Fig. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrical insulation component.

[0038] Fig.10 is a schematic diagram of the operation of the error-proofing device of the electrical insulation assembly.

[0039] Fig.11 is a schematic diagram of the positioning of the cover in the electrical insulation assembly.

[0040] Fig.12 is a schematic diagram of an electrical insulation assembly including a substrate according to a first embodiment.

[0041] Fig.13 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment option of a support of a device for electrical insulation of a busbar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 An exemplary embodiment of an electrical insulation assembly 1 for a busbar 2, which is another name for an interconnection bar, is schematically illustrated. The electrical insulation assembly 1 comprises in particular a busbar 2 and an electrical insulation device 3 according to the invention.

[0043] The busbar 2 may be a straight (ie, rectilinear) or substantially straight bar, such as Figure 5 , Fig.10 and Fig.11 Alternatively, the busbar 2 may be a curved bar. It must be understood that the description given below with reference to an insulation assembly 1 comprising a straight busbar 2, or with reference to an insulation device 3 for a straight busbar 2, applies mutatis mutandis to a curved busbar 2.

[0044] In particular, according to the invention, the busbar 2 in question can be a busbar 2 intended for electrically connecting modules included in an electrical energy storage device (also referred to as a "battery"). It is worth noting that the storage device in question is capable of supplying electrical power to the drive train of a motor vehicle. The vehicle is in particular a vehicle with an electric or hybrid power unit. The vehicle in question can be of any type, such as a private car, a multi-purpose vehicle, a truck or a bus. It is worth noting that the vehicle can be a vehicle with an online connection and / or an autonomous vehicle.

[0045] Figures 1 to 12 An example of an embodiment of an insulation assembly 1 or insulation device 3 according to the invention is shown. Throughout the following description, the terms "first", "second", "primary", "secondary", "primary" are intended to distinguish similar components rather than to define a hierarchical order within the subject matter.

[0046] In general, the insulation device 3 for a busbar 2 according to the present invention comprises a support 4 configured to cover the busbar 2 , and at least one removable cover 5 attached to the support 4 .

[0047] The support 4 is made of an insulating material, in particular a plastic material, such as LCP (liquid crystal polymer). The support 4 comprises a main wall 41 configured to cover the bus bar 2. It is worth noting that the main wall 41 is configured to be interposed between the bus bar 2 and the user's hand in the first direction 100. Preferably, the main wall 41 is at least partially flat or substantially flat.

[0048] According to alternative embodiments described in more detail later, the main wall 41 may be produced in a single piece, or may be formed from a plurality of parts lying in the same plane or substantially in the same plane.

[0049] The support 4 in particular forms at least half of the housing. Preferably, the support 4 further comprises a plurality of lateral walls 42 extending from the main wall 41. It is worth noting that, according to the exemplary embodiment shown, the support 4 comprises at least three lateral walls 42. These lateral walls are perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the main wall 41 and extend in such a way as to at least partially surround the busbar 2. It is worth noting that the lateral walls 42 are arranged in the storage device so that they surround the accessible area of ​​the busbar.

[0050] The support 4 has a shape suitable for the busbar 2. It is worth noting that in the case of a straight busbar 2, the support can have a parallelepiped or substantially parallelepiped shape, such as Figures 1 to 3 Conversely, when the busbar 2 has a curved shape, as explained previously, the support member may have a curved shape, such as Figure 4 What is shown.

[0051] The support member 4 has at least one through hole 43. Figure 5 or Fig. 9 As can be seen in FIG. 4 , at least one orifice 43 is situated in the main wall 41 so as to extend between a first face 411 facing the busbar 2 and a second face 412 on the side opposite the first face.

[0052] At least one orifice 43 is positioned to extend facing at least one fixing device 6, such as a screw, which is used to fix the busbar when the busbar 2 is assembled in the insulating assembly 1 or in the electrical energy storage device. In this particular case, the at least one orifice 43 is positioned to face the at least one fixing device 6 in the first direction 100. Preferably, the head of the fixing device 6 and the at least one orifice 43 can be centered on the same axis. The at least one orifice 43 thus makes the fixing device 6 accessible by means of a tool, such as a screw driving tool, for example so that in the case of a screw, this screw can be tightened.

[0053] Optionally, as described in more detail later, at least one aperture 43 may be dimensioned to have a main dimension that is strictly smaller than the main dimension of the head of the fixation device 6 in question. By "main dimension" is meant the longest dimension of the aperture 43 measured in a direction orthogonal to the first direction 100. Such a main dimension may correspond, for example, to a diameter in the case of a circular aperture 43 or to a diagonal in the case of a polygonal aperture 43.

[0054] Preferably, the support 4 comprises a plurality of apertures 43 equal to the number of fixing devices 6 used to hold the busbars in place. Each aperture 43 is then positioned so that it extends towards the fixing device 6 specific to it, according to a principle similar to that explained above. In this particular case, the busbar 2 is held in place by two fixing devices 6 and the support 4 comprises two apertures 43.

[0055] Furthermore, the support 4 comprises at least one guide slot 44 for guiding at least one cover 5. In a similar manner to the orifice 43, the at least one slot is a through slot, that is to say, it is located in the main wall 41 in a manner extending between the first face 411 and the second face 412. According to the example shown, the guide slot 44 can be straight or substantially straight. According to an alternative not depicted, the guide slot 44 can be at least partially curved. As described in more detail later, the guide slot 44 is configured to at least partially receive the cover 5 so as to allow the cover to move relative to the support 4.

[0056] The insulation assembly 1 for the busbar 2 according to the invention can also be implemented in different ways.

[0057] according to Figure 5 or Fig.12In the first embodiment shown, the insulating assembly 1 may further include an electrically insulating substrate 8, which is attached to the support 4 and is configured to cooperate with the support. The support 4 and the substrate 8 then each form a half shell, the combination of which defines a shell that at least partially surrounds the busbar 2, which shell may or may not be closed. It is worth noting that the substrate 8 can be connected to the support 4 via at least one fixing element 9 (such as a fastening clip fixing). The substrate 8 extends at least on one side of the busbar 2, while the support 4 extends at least on the opposite side of the busbar 2 relative to the substrate 8. In other words, the substrate 8 and the support 4 are positioned at least on both sides of the busbar 2 in the first direction 100.

[0058] According to alternative embodiments, the substrate 8 may have a U-shaped or L-shaped profile. It is worth noting that the substrate 8 includes a main side 81 extending on the opposite side of the busbar 2 relative to the main wall 41 of the support 4. The main side 81 extends in contact with the busbar 2. The substrate 8 may further include one or more lateral sides 82, which are connected to the main side 81 and are configured to cooperate with at least one lateral wall 42 of the support 4. The substrate 8 is thus indirectly connected between the busbar 2 and the support 4. In the non-limiting alternative shown, the substrate 8 has a U-shaped profile with two lateral sides 82.

[0059] Advantageously, but optionally, in order to simplify the transport and assembly of the insulation assembly 1 , the insulation assembly may further comprise at least one fixing device 6 positioned facing the at least one orifice 43 and mounted on the busbar 2 .

[0060] In the case where the insulating assembly 1 comprises a support 4 overmolded onto the busbar 2, the assembly may comprise one or more removable fixing devices. The dimensions of the apertures 43 in question, which are configured to face each extension in the fixing device 6, are then set to allow the insertion and passage of the fixing device 6, in particular its head. Alternatively and advantageously, in order to simplify the transport and handling of the insulating assembly 1, the fixing device 6 may be a captive screw. The apertures 43 in question then preferably have a main dimension that is strictly smaller than the main dimension of the head of the fixing device 6. The support 4 is then overmolded on the busbar 2 equipped with one or more fixing devices, so that these devices extend into the volume defined by the support 4. The support 4 then advantageously forms a capture housing (also referred to as a capture cage), i.e. a space in which the one or more fixing devices are captured.

[0061] According to a second embodiment, not depicted, the support 4 can be overmolded onto the busbar 2. This support has, for example, the features set forth above and can further include an additional wall on the side opposite to the main wall 41 so as to define a housing surrounding the busbar 2 (that is, extending on both sides of the busbar 2 in at least one direction), which housing may or may not be closed. It is worth noting that the insulating assembly 1 can have a structure similar to that explained above with reference to the first embodiment, with the difference that the support 4 and the substrate 8 form at least part of a one-piece assembly overmolded onto the busbar 2 and defining the housing. For example, at least the main wall 41 forms a one-piece assembly overmolded onto the busbar with one of the lateral sides 82 of the substrate.

[0062] In the case where the insulating assembly 1 according to the first embodiment includes a removable substrate 8, the assembly may also include one or more removable fixing devices. In a manner similar to that previously described, the size of the aperture 43 involved, which is configured to face each extension in the fixing device 6, can be set to allow the fixing device 6, especially its head, to be inserted and passed through. Alternatively and advantageously, the fixing device 6 can be a captive screw. The aperture 43 involved then preferably has a main dimension that is strictly smaller than the main dimension of the head of the fixing device 6. The support 4 and the substrate 8 are assembled to surround the busbar 2 equipped with one or more fixing devices, so that these devices extend into the volume defined by the combination of the support 4 and the substrate 8. Such a combination then forms a capture housing as described above.

[0063] The at least one cover 5 is a removable part attached to the support 4. The at least one cover is configured to be movable relative to the support 4, in particular relative to the main wall 41. The description given below with reference to one cover 5 can be extended to a plurality of covers 5 included in the insulation device 3 according to the invention.

[0064] The cover 5 is made of an electrically insulating material, such as a plastic material, in particular a polyamide, such as PA6, for example PA6-GF25. The cover comprises a body 51. It is worth noting that, in order to reduce the total volume produced, such a body 51 has a profile having a shape complementary to the shape on at least a portion of the support 4 with which it cooperates. In this particular case, the body 51 has a profile having a shape complementary to that of the main wall 41. In the example shown, the main wall 41 is flat or substantially flat, and so is the body 51. In this way, when the cover 5 is assembled on the support 4, the first face 511 of the body 51 of the cover 5, which faces the support 4, extends in contact with the second face 412 of the support 4. According to an alternative not depicted, when the support 4 (in particular the main wall 41) has a curved profile, the body 51 of the cover 5 has a profile of a complementary shape.

[0065] The cover 5 further includes at least one guide member 52. The guide member 52 is connected to the body 51 and protrudes from the body in at least one direction. The guide member extends from the first face 511 of the body 51 and extends toward the support 4 when the insulation device 3 is assembled. The guide member 52 is configured to cooperate with the guide groove 44 to allow the cover 5 to move relative to the support 4. In particular, the guide member 52 is configured to be inserted into the guide groove 44 to allow the cover 5 to move by sliding between the first position and the second position.

[0066] like Figure 1 As shown, both the body 51 and the support 4 are configured so that in a first position, at least one orifice 43 is uncovered, that is to say accessible, in order to allow the user to operate the fixing device 6 positioned facing the orifice 43 in question. Figure 2 , Figure 3 or Figure 4 As depicted, when the cover 5 is moved to the second position, the body 51 covers the at least one orifice 43, thus making the at least one orifice inaccessible. The body 51 is thus dimensioned according to the position of the at least one orifice 43 in question and the guide slot 44 in question, so as to cover the at least one orifice 43 when the cover 5 is inserted into the guide slot 44 and positioned in the second position.

[0067] Preferably, the body 51 and the guide member 52 form a one-piece entity, which means that they cannot be separated from each other without damaging or even destroying the cover 5. For example, the cover 5 may be a moulded part.

[0068] The guide member 52 has an elongated shape, the profile of which is configured to cooperate with the guide groove 44. Optionally, but preferably, the guide member 52 includes a retaining member 53 for retaining the cover 5 relative to the support 4. The retaining member 53 includes a deformable portion 53a, in particular an elastically deformable portion, which is configured to prevent the cover 5 from moving relative to the support 4 in at least one direction. In particular, the retaining member 53 is configured to limit the movement of the cover 5 relative to the support 4 in one direction of the first direction 100 so as to prevent the cover 5 from detaching.

[0069] All or part of the deformable portion 53a is configured to deform when assembling the cover 5 on the support 4 from the "rest" configuration to the "deformed" configuration. It is worth noting that the deformable portion 53a is in the form of a fastening clip. Without limitation, the retaining member 53, in particular the elastically deformable portion 53a, comprises at least one tab. In this particular case, the retaining member 53 comprises two tabs, which are arranged in a V-shaped or substantially V-shaped profile in its "rest" configuration. Therefore, these tabs are inclined relative to the first direction 100 so as to abut against the support 4 when the cover is in its "rest" configuration and moves along the first direction 100.

[0070] For each tab in question, the retaining member 53 is configured such that the free end of said tab extends at a non-zero distance from the first face 511 of the body 51 of the cover 5. Preferably, therefore, when the cover 5 cooperates with the support 4, the cover 5 engages with at least one of the walls of the support 4. In this way, as explained in more detail later, the cover 5 can be fixed to the busbar 2, in particular indirectly via at least the support 4. In this particular case, the body 51 of the cover 5 on the one hand, and the retaining member 53, in particular its elastically deformable portion 53a, on the other hand, engage with the main wall 41 in the first direction 100. Thus, the body 51 is in contact with the second face 412 of the main wall 41, while the free end of at least one of the tabs is in contact with the first face 411 of the main wall 41.

[0071] When the cover 5 is assembled on the support 4, the edge of the guide groove 44 exerts a force on the retaining member 53, which deforms so as to allow the guide member 52 to be inserted into the guide groove 44. In this particular case, the deformable portion 53a moves in such a way that, in the "deformed" configuration, the free ends of the tabs move closer to each other so as to allow the cover 5 to be positioned on the support 4. When the body 51 of the cover 5 extends in contact with the support 4, the edge of the guide groove 44 is no longer in direct contact with the retaining member 53. The force applied to the retaining member 53 stops and the retaining member 53 returns autonomously to its "resting" configuration. These tabs are therefore able to limit the movement of the cover 5 relative to the support 4 by contacting the main wall 41 in the case of a movement of the cover 5 in the first direction 100, the main wall 41 acting as an end stop for said tabs.

[0072] Similar principles may be applied mutatis mutandis to a retention member 53 including a single tab configured to cooperate with at least one edge of a guide slot 44 or including more than two tabs.

[0073] Furthermore, optionally, but preferably, the guide member 52 may include at least one positioning member 54 for positioning the cover 5 in at least one of the first position or the second position. The guide groove 44 then includes at least one positioning element 45 for positioning the cover 5 and having a shape complementary to that of the positioning member 54, thereby defining or limiting the relative position where the cover 5 will be placed relative to the support 4.

[0074] In particular, the cover 5 comprises as many positioning members 54 as the support 4 comprises positioning elements 45. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the guide member 52 comprises two positioning members 54, while the support 4 comprises two positioning elements 45, in particular recesses. The first positioning member 54a and the first recess 45a define a first position, in which, when the cover 5 is moved in such a way as to position the first member 54a in the first recess 45a, the at least one orifice 43 in question is uncovered. Conversely, the second positioning member 54b and the second recess 45b define a second position, in which, when the cover 5 is moved in such a way as to position the second member in the second recess 45b, the at least one orifice 43 in question is covered by the cover.

[0075] The positioning means 54 and the positioning element 45 therefore also serve as indexing devices, since they impose the position and orientation of the cover 5 relative to the support in the first position and in the second position.

[0076] In the non-limiting example shown, the guide slot 44 comprises a straight middle portion 46 extending along a main extension axis orthogonal to the first direction 100. Alternatively, such a middle portion 46 may be curved, for example in the case of a curved guide slot 44 as previously explained. A first recess 45a and a second recess 45b are located at the ends of the guide slot 44. The first recess and the second recess are connected to the middle portion 46 and extend in the continuation of the middle portion along the main axis, so that the cover 5 can be moved into the first recess 45a or the second recess 45b as a continuation of the sliding movement via the middle portion 46. In other words, the middle portion 46 here corresponds to an intermediate position of the cover 5, these positions being between the first position and the second position. Alternatively, the recess in question may be offset relative to the direction defined by the main axis, for example so as to extend above or below such an axis.

[0077] It is worth noting that within the guide groove 44, the positioning element 45 (that is to say, the first recess 45a and / or the second recess 45b) can be connected to the intermediate portion 46 by or at an indexing anti-shaped element that helps to define the open position or the closed position. In this particular case, these anti-shaped elements have the shape of a portion of the guide groove 44 where the edges of the groove are closer together. Such an anti-shaped element generates a resistance that requires the user to make an additional effort in this portion to move the cover 5 into or out of the position in question, thereby allowing the cover to remain stable in said position.

[0078] Moreover, in the illustrated example, the first and second positioning members 54a, 54b preferably have a rounded (e.g., substantially circular) shape, and the recesses have a complementary shape. The purpose of this shaping is to lock the index of the cover 5 in the open or closed position as previously explained, to complement the concave shape formed by the first recess 45a and / or the second recess 45b.

[0079] The intermediate portion 46 and the positioning elements 45a, 45b are each dimensioned to allow the cover 5 to move relative to the support 4. In this respect, the width of the intermediate portion 46 and the positioning element 45 is strictly greater than the width of the positioning member 54. The widths involved are dimensions defined in a direction orthogonal to the first direction 100 and in particular orthogonal to the main axis along which the guide slot 44 extends.

[0080] Furthermore, preferably, the positioning member 54 is connected to the body 51 by a structure having a solid wall, unlike the retaining member 53 shown as an example. Therefore, optionally, the positioning member 54 includes at least one solid wall, which is configured to be positioned facing the edge of the guide groove 44 in the first direction 100 when the insulation device 3 is assembled. It is worth noting that the positioning member 54 extends at least partially in contact with the support 4 so as to allow optimized movement of the cover 5 relative to the support 4 and prevent the cover 5 from pivoting in directions other than the direction or directions along which the guide groove 44 extends.

[0081] Optionally, the body 51 of the cover 5 may advantageously include at least one grip-promoting member 55, the purpose of which is to make the cover 5 easier to manipulate. The grip-promoting member 55 may be arranged in particular on the end side of the body 51. In particular, the at least one grip-promoting member 55 may be configured to extend from the support 4 as a protrusion in at least one direction. In the example shown, the grip-promoting member 55 has the shape of two protrusions 55a, which protrude from the support 4, in particular from one of the lateral walls 42, in at least one direction (for example, in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction 100 and the second direction 200).

[0082] According to another exemplary embodiment, the cover 5 may additionally or alternatively include a grip promoting member 55, which comprises embossing, stripes and / or ridges. Such grip promoting member 55b may be arranged on the side of the cover 5 that is accessible when the cover is assembled in the insulating device 3. In this particular case, the grip promoting member 55 involved comprises stripes on the second surface 512 of the body 51 of the cover 5.

[0083] Thus, the cover 5 may optionally comprise a plurality of grip promoting members 55 produced according to one or more of the above-described alternatives.

[0084] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the electrical insulation device 3 may comprise a plurality of covers 5. Such covers 5 may be identical to one another or may be produced according to the different alternatives and options explained above. The support 4 is then able to cooperate with the plurality of covers 5. As explained above, the support comprises a plurality of guide grooves 44, each of which is configured to cooperate with one of the covers 5 of the plurality of covers 5.

[0085] Furthermore, optionally but preferably, the electrical insulation device 3 may comprise at least one poka-yoke device 7, in which the support 4 comprises a poka-yoke slit 71 and the cover 5 comprises a poka-yoke device 72 configured and shaped to cooperate with such a slit. Figure 5 and Fig.10 As shown, the error-proofing device 72 is intended to inform the user of the correct positioning of the defined fixture 6, as explained more fully later. For example, the error-proofing device 72 attempts to define whether the fixture 6 in question has been sufficiently tightened to hold the busbar 2 in place.

[0086] The anti-mistake slit 71 is included in the wall including at least one orifice 43. In this particular case, the anti-mistake slit 71 is included in the main wall 41 of the support 4. The anti-mistake slit 71 passes through the thickness of the support 4, which means that it extends from the first face 411 of the main wall 41 to the second face 412. The anti-mistake slit 71 is configured to extend parallel to or substantially parallel to the guide groove 44. In a manner similar to that explained above, the anti-mistake slit 71 can be straight or at least partially curved. Moreover, the anti-mistake slit 71 defines a path for the cover 5 to travel, which is similar to or substantially similar to the path defined by the guide groove 44. The anti-mistake slit 71 extends at a non-zero distance from the guide groove 44 and leads to at least one orifice 43.

[0087] In order to cooperate with the error proofing slit 71, the error proofing device 72 included in the cover 5 can have the form of a finger, a pin or a tab protruding from the body 51. The error proofing device 72 and the guide member 52 extend from the same side of the body 51 of the cover 5. The error proofing device 72 is dimensioned to have a dimension in the first direction 100 that is strictly greater than the thickness of the wall of the support 4 including the error proofing slit 71, so that when the cover 5 is assembled on the support 4, the error proofing device protrudes beyond the wall. In this particular case, when the cover 5 is mounted on the support 4, the error proofing device 72 extends through the error proofing slit 71 and protrudes from the first face 411 of the main wall 41 of the support 4.

[0088] The error proofing device 7 is thus configured such that when the cover 5 moves relative to the support 4 in the guide slot 44, the error proofing device 72 simultaneously moves along the error proofing slit 71. Figure 5 and Fig.10 As shown, due to the positioning of the error-proofing slit 71 relative to at least one orifice 43, the error-proofing device 7 is configured so that when the fixing device 6 arranged to face the orifice 43 in question in the first direction 100 is not positioned so as to be suitable for holding the busbar 2 in place (for example, not sufficiently tightened in the case of a screw), while the cover is moved towards the second position, the error-proofing device 72 abuts against said fixing device 6. In other words, if the fixing device 6 is not in a suitable position, it crosses the path of the error-proofing device 72 and prevents the error-proofing device from reaching the second position. The error-proofing device 7 then prevents the cover from being positioned in the second position, and thus makes it possible to prevent incorrect installation of the busbar 2.

[0089] The insulating device 3 may advantageously comprise a plurality of poka-yoke devices 7 as explained above. It is worth noting that the insulating device 3 may be configured such that each aperture 43 it comprises is connected to a poka-yoke slit 71 specific to a poka-yoke device 7 .

[0090] According to another embodiment option, the insulating device 3 may further comprise a marking which is arranged on the support 4 and which indicates a correct or incorrect positioning of at least one cover 5. The marking is arranged on a wall of the support 4 visible to the user and, for example, on the main wall 41 in the illustrated example. According to an exemplary embodiment, such a marking may be lettered and / or colored, for example, the word "normal" in order to indicate a correctly positioned cover 5, i.e. a position in which the insulating device or assembly 1 is ready for use. The insulating device 3 is configured so that the cover 5 at least partially covers the marking depending on whether it is in the first position or in the second position. For example, when the cover 5 is in the first position so that at least one orifice 43 can be seen at the same time and therefore a fixing device 6 which may be arranged facing the orifice can be seen, a portion of the marking indicating an improper positioning of the cover 5 is visible. Such a portion of the marking may, for example, be a red marking and / or a marking of the "abnormal" or "non-normal" type. Conversely, when the cover 5 is in the second position, it covers at least one orifice 43 and a portion of the marking indicating a correctly positioned cover 5 may be visible. For example, such a portion of the marking may be a green marking and / or a "normal" type marking.

[0091] according to Fig.13 In yet another embodiment option shown in and applicable to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the support 4 may include at least one attached removable portion 47, which is configured to be fixed to at least one wall of the support, for example, to a portion of the main wall 41 and / or at least one of the lateral walls 42. According to a preferred embodiment, the removable portion 47 can be fixed to the wall in question via a fixing element (such as a clip). The removable portion 47 includes at least one orifice 43 and a guide groove 44 for the cover 5, as described above. The removable portion 47 is therefore configured to cooperate with the cover 5. The removable portion 47 and at least one wall on which the removable portion is fixed therefore contribute to defining a space configured to at least partially receive the fixing device 6. In addition, optionally, the removable portion may include a foolproofing device 7. The removable portion 47 may be configured so as to form the main wall 41 or to be located in a common plane with the main wall 41. The support 4 may further include a plurality of removable portions 47, each of which is configured to cooperate with a different cover 5.

[0092] The present invention can further be extended to a cover 5 for an insulating device or assembly 1 for insulating a busbar 2 according to the present invention. The cover 5 can re-adopt all or part of the features described above with reference to the cover 5. It is worth noting that, in general, such a cover 5 is made of an insulating material, comprising: a body 51, in particular a flat or substantially flat body; and at least one guide member 52, which is connected to the body 51 and protrudes from the body, and the guide member 52 is configured to cooperate with the support 4 and move relative to the support.

[0093] The invention finally relates to a method for installing an electrical insulation assembly 1 according to the invention. This method comprises positioning a busbar 2 on a module of an electrical energy storage device and positioning at least one fixing device 6 so as to fix the busbar 2 to said module. It is worth noting that, in the case where the fixing device 6 is, for example, a screw, the positioning of said fixing device 6 is achieved by screwing or tightening. This positioning can be achieved with the aid of a tool positioned so as to extend at least partially through an orifice 43 included in the support 4, which orifice extends facing the fixing device 6 in question. The positioning of the fixing device 6 is performed when the cover 5 in question (i.e. the cover configured to extend facing the orifice 43 in question) is arranged in a first position so as to make the orifice 43 accessible to a user. The method according to the invention then comprises: when the fixing device 6 has been appropriately positioned, moving at least one cover 5 from a first position to a second position by sliding relative to the support 4. For example, this sliding is performed in a translational movement, in particular in a second direction 200 orthogonal to the first direction 100.

[0094] Optionally, the method according to the invention may comprise a sub-step of verifying the correct positioning of the fixing device 6 using a poka-yoke 7 and / or a marking as explained previously.

[0095] The invention thus proposes an electrical insulation device for a busbar, in particular a busbar configured to connect together different modules of an electrical energy storage device, for example for an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. The device according to the invention is advantageously configured to ensure the safety of the user, while allowing simple assembly and being suitable for use in confined environments.

[0096] However, the present invention is not limited to the devices and configurations described and illustrated herein, but is also applicable to any equivalent devices or configurations and any technically feasible combination of such devices, as long as they ultimately achieve the functions described and illustrated in this document.

Claims

1. An electrical insulation device (3) for a busbar (2), characterized in that: The electrical insulation device comprises a support (4) made of an electrically insulating material and configured to cover a busbar (2) and at least one removable electrically insulating cover (5) attached to the support (4): - the support (4) comprises at least one orifice (43) which can extend towards at least one fixing device (6) for fixing the busbar (2), and a guide groove (44) for guiding the at least one cover (5); The at least one cover (5) comprises a body (51) and is slidably mounted on the support (4) via at least one guide member (52) connected to the body (51) so as to be movable in the guide slot (44) between a first position in which the at least one orifice (43) is not covered and a second position in which the at least one orifice (43) is covered by the body (51).

2. The insulation device (3) according to the preceding claim, wherein: The guide member (52) comprises: - a retaining member (53) for retaining the cover (5) relative to the support (4), the retaining member (53) comprising a deformable portion (53a), in particular in the form of a clip, configured to cooperate with at least one edge of the guide groove (44) so ​​as to prevent the cover (5) from moving relative to the support (4) in at least one direction; and / or - at least one positioning member (54) for positioning the cover (5) in at least one of the first position or the second position, the guide groove (44) comprising at least one positioning element (45), such as a recess, having a shape complementary to the shape of the positioning member (54), thereby defining the position.

3. The insulation device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The body (51) of the at least one cover member (5) includes a grip-promoting member (55, 55a) which is arranged on an end side of the body (51) and is configured to extend from the support member (4) as a protrusion in at least one direction.

4. The insulation device (3) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of cover elements (5), the support element (4) comprising a plurality of guide grooves (44), each of said grooves being configured to cooperate with one of the cover elements (5) of the plurality of cover elements (5).

5. The insulation device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support member (4) comprises at least one wall (41, 42) and at least one attached removable portion (47) configured to be fixed on the at least one wall (41, 42), the removable portion (47) comprising the at least one orifice (43) and the guide groove (44) for guiding the at least one cover member (5).

6. The insulation device (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The support member (4) includes an anti-error slit (71) which passes through the thickness of the support member (4) and leads to the at least one orifice (43), and the cover member (5) includes an anti-error device (72) which protrudes from the body (51) and is configured to cooperate with the anti-error slit (71) so as to extend through the anti-error slit and protrude from the support member (4).

7. An electrical insulation assembly (1) for a busbar (2), comprising an insulation device (3) as claimed in one of the preceding claims and a busbar (2).

8. Electrical insulation assembly (1) according to the preceding claim, further comprising at least one fixing device (6) arranged facing the at least one opening (43) and mounted on the busbar (2), the fixing device (6) being a captive screw.

9. An electrical insulation assembly (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein: - the support (4) is overmolded onto the busbar (2); or The insulating assembly (1) further comprises an electrically insulating substrate (8) configured to cooperate with the support (4), the substrate (8) extending at least on one side of the busbar (2), and the support (4) extending at least on the opposite side of the busbar (2) relative to the substrate (8).

10. A method for installing an electrical insulation assembly (1) as claimed in claims 7 to 9, the method comprising: Positioning the bus bar (2) on a module of an electrical energy storage device; positioning at least one fixing device (6) for fixing the busbar (2) to the module; And the at least one cover member (5) is moved from the first position to the second position by sliding relative to the support member (4).

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