High-voltage connector protection turning plate device for matching surface of high-voltage connector

Abstract

The invention relates to a high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) for an electrical high-voltage connector (0), in particular a high-voltage charging connector (0) for a vehicle or a charging station having an electrical traction motor, having a holder (20), an actuator (30) and a protection flap (50), wherein the protective flap (50) is configured to be pivotable on the holder (20) between a closed position (G) and an open position (O) of the protective flap device (2) in order to open and close the mating surface (10) of the high-voltage connector (0), and the protective flap device (2) is designed such that the protective flap (50) can be electromechanically pivotable as intended by the actuator (30), and furthermore, the protective flap (50) can be electrically pivotable by the actuator (30) in order to open and close the mating surface (10) of the high-voltage connector (0). The protective flap (50) can alternatively be manually pivoted as intended.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a protection flap device for a high-voltage connector, for an electrical high-voltage connector, in particular for a high-voltage charging connector of a vehicle or a charging station having an electric traction motor. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an electrical high-voltage connector, in particular a high-voltage charging connector, and to an electrical high-voltage entity, in particular for a vehicle or a charging station having an electric traction motor, respectively. Background Art

[0002] In the electrical field (electrical engineering, electrical engineering, power engineering, etc.), a large number of electrical high-voltage connectors are known. These are used to transmit voltages in the high-voltage range (high voltage: AC voltage exceeding 24 V up to exceeding 1 kV, DC voltage exceeding 48 V up to exceeding 1.5 kV), currents in the high-current range (high current exceeding 25 A up to exceeding 1 kA), and / or power in the high-power range (high power from 20 kW up to exceeding 350 kW). In this case, high-voltage connectors for supplying and / or distributing electrical energy in cold, warm, possibly hot, polluted, humid, and / or chemically aggressive environments must ensure problem-free transmission in the short term and / or permanently.

[0003] Due to the wide range of applications in addition to ground-based electrical engineering and its analogues, a large number of such high-voltage connectors are known in the automotive and non-automotive fields. In the automotive field, such high-voltage connectors are suitable, for example, for electrically connecting high-voltage and / or high-current lines to the corresponding electrical high-voltage entities or vice versa, for connecting high-voltage and / or high-current lines, or for different types of electromechanical high-voltage and / or high-current contact connections. - In this specification, the term "high voltage" is intended to cover the terms high voltage, high current, and / or high power.

[0004] The high cost of fossil fuels and the effort to reduce environmental impact make, for example, hybrid or electric vehicles necessary in the automotive field. One aspect of these vehicles is the handling of high charging and operating voltages as well as high charging and operating currents, where the components in question of the vehicle need to be designed accordingly. This applies in particular to high-voltage and / or high-current lines (such as stranded wires, conductor bars, busbars, etc.) and the associated high-voltage and / or high-current terminals (such as connectors, flat contacts, busbars, conductor bars, etc.) and thus also to high-voltage connectors.

[0005] If the high-voltage connector is positioned on the high-voltage cable, reference is also made to the flying (plug) connector or coupler. If the high-voltage connector is positioned on / in the electrical high-voltage entity (see below), for example as part of the housing of the electrical high-voltage entity, reference is also made to the connector device, for example the (built-in / attached) connector. - In the context of electrical engineering (generation, conversion, storage and transmission of high-voltage current in the power grid, preferably with three-phase high-voltage transmission), due to their complex structure, reference is instead made to cable accessories.

[0006] Efforts have been made to improve electrical high-voltage connectors. In particular, in this context, the next generation of electric mobility is distinguished by faster and more convenient charging methods for fully electric and hybrid road vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles. The high-voltage charging connector requires a protective flap for this purpose, thus preventing contact with the conductive parts of the high-voltage charging connector. - The object of the present invention is to specify a protective flap for a high-voltage connector, in particular for a high-voltage charging connector of a vehicle or a charging station having an electric traction motor. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved by means of a high-voltage connector protective flap device for an electrical high-voltage connector, in particular a high-voltage charging connector (also only referred to as "protective flap device" in the following description); by means of an electrical high-voltage connector, in particular a high-voltage charging connector; and by means of an electrical high-voltage entity; each in particular for a vehicle or a charging station having an electric traction motor. - Advantageous improvements, additional features and / or advantages of the present invention can be inferred from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0008] The protective flap device according to the present invention comprises a retainer, an actuator and a protective flap, wherein the protective flap is configured to be pivotable on the retainer between a closed position and an open position of the protective flap device to open and close the mating surface of the high-voltage connector, and the protective flap device is designed such that the protective flap can on the one hand be pivotable electromechanically as desired by means of the actuator, and preferably, further, the protective flap can on the other hand alternatively be pivotable manually as desired. - That is, the protective flap can in particular be actuated electromechanically and manually independently of each other.

[0009] The retainer can be mounted on or in the high-voltage connector or be part of the high-voltage connector, such as a section of its connector housing. Such a connector housing can be designed, for example, as the essential connector housing, partial housing, external housing or internal housing, housing curtain, housing section, housing area, etc. of the high-voltage connector. - The protective flap is especially in the form of a cover. - The mating surface can be designed as the sole mating surface of the high-voltage connector or can also be designed as one of a plurality of, especially two, mating surfaces. In the second case, the high-voltage connector can be designed as a CCS high-voltage connector (CCS: Combined Charging System), where the protective flap device serves to open and close the mating surface, especially with a DC electrode.

[0010] For the electromechanical pivoting of the protective flap, the actuator can engage with the protective flap translationally or rotationally. - For the manual pivoting of the protective flap, a clutch can be arranged in the force flow between the actuator and the protective flap, through which the protective flap can be decoupled from the holding force of the actuator. That is, the clutch is designed as an actuator decoupling clutch and can also be designed or designated as a sliding clutch, blocking body clutch, release clutch, disengagement clutch, short-circuit clutch, etc. - In this specification, the concept of "force" includes, where appropriate, the concept of "torque" similar to it.

[0011] The protective flap can be pivotable about a pivot axis. In this case, the protective flap device or the protective flap can have a radial rod relative to the pivot axis, the actuator engages on the radial rod, and the protective flap can pivot via the radial rod. Additionally, the radial rod of the protective flap device or the protective flap and the covering plane of the protective flap can be configured at an angle of approximately 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 165°, or 180° relative to each other. The radial rod (and thus the radial extension of the radial rod) and the covering plane (and thus the radial extension of the covering plane) are preferably positioned substantially radially relative to each other with respect to the pivot axis, where an angle deviating from its (180°) by approximately 10°, 20°, 30°, or 40° can be configured.

[0012] The actuator can be configured to be able to move back and forth substantially translationally on or in the retainer for the electromechanical pivoting of the protective flap. In this case, the actuator is, for example, guided and mounted on or in the retainer. The retainer preferably guides the actuator on two opposite sides, for example, in each case by means of protrusions that can slide in grooves. For this purpose, the grooves can be constructed in the retainer / actuator, and the protrusions can be constructed in the actuator / retainer. The protrusions are especially elongate protrusions and are preferably only slightly shorter than the grooves (stroke of the actuator, tolerance compensation, safety).

[0013] The actuator may have an actuating device by which the pivoting device of the protective flap device or the protective flap can move about a pivot axis. When the pivoting device is actuated by means of the actuating device, the pivoting device can move parallel to the pivot axis. The circumferential movement angle of the pivoting device relative to the pivot axis is preferably at least approximately: 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 165° or 180°. The actuating device of the actuator can be designed in particular as an actuating recess, and the pivoting device of the protective flap device or the protective flap can be designed in particular as a pin having a preferably circular, in particular circular diameter.

[0014] The bearing between the actuating device and the pivoting device can convert the translational movement of the actuator into a rotational movement of the pivoting device relative to the pivot axis. For this purpose, the pivoting device can preferably move translationally and rotationally relative to or in the actuating device (see below). The bearing between the actuating device and the pivoting device can be configured as a plain bearing. The plain bearing is designed as a radial plain bearing and an axial plain bearing, wherein the radial-axial plain bearing is substantially strained radially and axially simultaneously when the protective flap pivots.

[0015] The actuator and its actuating device can be formed substantially as a claw in the region of the pivoting device. The extent of the claw in the direction of the pivot axis is preferably at least twice the diameter of the pivoting device. The actuating recess forms the opening of the claw. In this case, preferably, in a hexagonal view, the claw is open on three sides (front side and two side sides) and closed on three sides (rear side and top side and bottom side) (see for example Figure 2 , 6 and 7).

[0016] The protective flap device can be designed such that the entire clutch also pivots when the protective flap is pivotally actuated electromechanically. In addition, the clutch can be held closed in a friction-locked and / or form-fitting manner in the unloaded state. In addition, the manual pivoting of the protective flap can be achieved by the clutch. That is, the protective flap can be separated from the holding force of the actuator by means of the clutch by manual pivoting movement. In addition, the clutch can allow the manual pivoting of the protective flap substantially independently of the position of the actuator.

[0017] The clutch can include a clutch assembly by which, on the one hand, the flow of force between the actuator and the protective flap can be configured, and on the other hand, the flow of force between the actuator and the protective flap can be interrupted. In the idling state of the clutch assembly, the flow of force can be configured between the actuator and the protective flap. During the electromechanical pivoting of the protective flap, the flow of force can be configured between the actuator and the protective flap. And during the manual pivoting of the protective flap, the flow of force can be interrupted between the actuator and the protective flap.

[0018] The clutch assembly can be mounted on or in the retainer such that the clutch assembly can pivot or rotate about a pivot axis, wherein the clutch assembly is preferably received on or in the retainer by means of a clutch shaft. In this case, the pivoting ability of the clutch assembly can be limited to less than approximately 360°, 270°, 180°, 150°, 120°, 105°. Of course, the pivoting ability can be greater than 360° and can either exclude the rotational ability of the clutch assembly or include the rotational ability of the clutch assembly. The clutch shaft is preferably designed as an internal pivot bearing member and does not transmit significant torque; the clutch assembly seated on the clutch shaft transmits significant torque. The clutch shaft only mounts the clutch assembly and possibly a protective flap on or in the retainer.

[0019] Furthermore, the clutch assembly can be received on the clutch shaft such that it can move back and forth (play) in one or two axial directions. That is, the clutch assembly is pushed onto the clutch shaft, wherein preferably at least a small radial play is constructed between the clutch shaft and the clutch assembly. In addition, the clutch assembly can be designed to be elastic or resilient in the axial direction of the pivot axis. In addition, the clutch assembly can be designed in the form of a drum or a box.

[0020] The clutch assembly can include two pressure members that can move towards each other. The pressure members can be configured to be mechanically pre-tensioned towards each other in the axial direction in the clutch assembly. This can be done, for example, by means of spring elements, in particular coil springs (preferred), or elastic elements, such as elastomeric elements. The pressure members can be designed such that the pressure members guide each other in the axial direction such that the pressure members can only pivot or rotate together in the circumferential direction.

[0021] The guiding means that affect each other of the pressure members can engage with each other for the mutual guidance of the pressure members. The pivoting device for the protective flap of the protective flap device can be constructed in the axial direction between the pressure members. In order to keep the pressure members constructed such that they can move towards each other, the pivoting device is mounted in at least one of the two pressure members in the axial direction, preferably by means of a sliding bearing. This preferably relates to both pressure members. Torque can be introduced into the pressure members or the clutch assembly by means of the pivoting device.

[0022] The guiding means can be designed as guiding means that are elongated in the axial direction. Here, at least one guiding projection of one pressure member can be guided in the guiding recess of the other pressure member in the axial direction. In addition, ignoring the pivoting device, the pressure members can be in the form of a crown and can engage with each other by means of their fork teeth. Here, the fork teeth of the two pressure members engage with each other or the guiding projections of the two pressure members are plugged into each other such that torque about the pivot axis can be transmitted from one pressure member to the other pressure member and vice versa.

[0023] Two guiding devices of only one single pressure piece of the clutch assembly that are directly adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction can be connected to each other by means of a circumferential connection inside the radial direction (stability is improved). Here, the circumferential connection is particularly (also) constructed on the free end regions of the two guiding devices.

[0024] The clutch assembly can be constructed between two mounting devices of the protective flap, and the two mounting devices are also mounted to be pivotable or rotatable on the clutch shaft. The relevant mounting devices can be designed as mounting tabs protruding away from the protective flap here. The mounting devices or mounting tabs can have through recesses for mounting the protective flap on the clutch shaft.

[0025] In addition, the clutch assembly can have a clutch surface of the clutch of the protective flap device on at least one axially outer side. In particular, this relates to two axially outer sides. And at least one mounting device of the protective flap can have a clutch surface of the clutch of the protective flap device on the axially inner side. In particular, this relates to two mounting devices.

[0026] In order to transmit force within the protective flap device, two mutually relevant clutch surfaces of the clutch assembly and the mounting device can be formed as friction surfaces and / or form-fitting surfaces. Two mutually relevant clutch surfaces of the clutch assembly and the mounting device can have mutually relevant clutch locking devices.

[0027] The relevant clutch locking device can be designed as a form-fitting locking device, which can be designed as a protrusion or a recess. In this case, one of the clutch surfaces can have a protrusion (clutch locking device or form-fitting locking device) and the relevant other clutch surface can have a recess (clutch locking device or form-fitting locking device). Preferably, one clutch surface of the clutch assembly has a protrusion, and the relevant other clutch surface of the mounting device has at least one recess; of course, this can also be formed vice versa.

[0028] The clutch locking devices of the mutually relevant clutch surfaces can interact in such a way that the protective flap can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position electromechanically and manually. - In particular, the two mutually relevant clutch surfaces are constructed between the clutch assembly and the relevant mounting devices on each side of the clutch assembly.

[0029] In order to transmit force within the protective flap device, the clutch surface of the clutch assembly can have a single clutch locking device for engaging the clutch locking device of the mounting device. The clutch surface of the mounting device can have at least two, in particular three, clutch locking devices which are arranged offset relative to one another in the circumferential direction. Each two directly adjacent clutch locking devices in the circumferential direction can be configured on the clutch surface of the mounting device at an angle of approximately 80°, 85°, 90°, 95°, 100° or 105°. The clutch surface of the mounting device can have clutch locking devices for the manual opening position, the electromechanical pivoting and / or the manual closing position of the protective flap device.

[0030] The protective flap device can be designed in such a way that in its closed position and / or its open position, a self-inhibition is substantially configured between the actuator and the clutch assembly or preferably a single pressure element. The actuator can be seated on the clutch assembly here in such a way that the clutch assembly prevents further movement of the actuator. Furthermore, the actuator can be seated here on the planar region of the clutch assembly or on the planar region of the single pressure element, respectively, with a planar region. These two regions are configured opposite one another, for example, in the region of the actuator device on the actuator.

[0031] The pivoting device for the protective flap of the protective flap device can be designed as a pin manufactured independently of the pressure element or as a pivoting device on the pressure element. In the second case, the cross-section of the pivoting device is designed in the form of an arc section or an elliptical arc section as far as possible. - The retainer, the actuator, the protective flap and / or the corresponding pressure element can be integrally formed.

[0032] Integrally formed is understood to mean the formation of the relevant component parts (retainer, actuator, protective flap and / or pressure element), where there is only a single component part which can only be separated by its destruction. The part is made of a single original piece and / or a single original composite (plastic melt), which in turn must be integral. The internal coherence occurs (exclusively) by adhesion and / or cohesion. In this case, coatings etc. can additionally be present.

[0033] The protective flap device can have a motor for actuating the actuator. The motor can be designed here as an electric motor, a linear motor or a drive related thereto. The motor is preferably arranged in a housing. Furthermore, the actuator of the motor has a mechanical operating connection to the actuator, or the actuator of the protective flap device is designed as the actuator of the motor, or vice versa. The retainer can be screwed together with the preferably accommodated motor. And the protective flap device can form part of the connector housing of a high-voltage connector. The retainer can be mounted on / in the connector housing or can be part of the connector housing.

[0034] The high-voltage connector according to the invention comprises at least one connector housing and a protective flap device, wherein the protective flap device is designed according to the invention. In this case, the high-voltage connector can of course have an electrical high-voltage contact device which has at least one electrical high-voltage terminal. The high-voltage connector can be designed as an electrical module, for example for maintaining or replacing the high-voltage connector.

[0035] The high-voltage entity according to the invention comprises an electrical high-voltage device and a protective flap device and / or a high-voltage connector, wherein the protective flap device and / or the high-voltage connector are designed according to the invention. - Such a high-voltage entity can be designed as, for example, an electrical component, an electrical module (for example, for replacing a high-voltage device together with a high-voltage connector), an electrical appliance, an electrical device (such as a charging station), an electrical assembly, etc.

[0036] A vehicle having an electric traction motor - in particular a motor vehicle (road vehicle, multi-purpose vehicle, etc.), but which can also be: a rail vehicle, a water vehicle and / or an aircraft - is understood to be such a motor vehicle which can also have a further non-electric drive, such as an internal combustion engine, in addition to the electric traction motor. That is, a vehicle having an electric traction motor can be understood, for example, as an electric vehicle (driven only by an electric motor), a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, etc.

[0037] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, the invention will be explained in more detail based on exemplary embodiments, which are not drawn to scale. Sections, elements, components, units, parts and / or schematic drawings having the same, distinctive or similar design and / or function are identified by the same reference numerals in the description of the drawings (see below), the list of reference numerals, the claims and the drawings. Possible alternatives not explained in the description of the invention (see above) are not shown in the drawings and / or are not exhaustive, and static and / or kinematic inversions, combinations, etc. of the exemplary embodiments or parts, figures, units, part-parts, elements or sections thereof of the invention can also be inferred from the list of reference numerals and / or the description of the drawings.

[0038] In the present invention, features (sections, elements, components, units, parts, functions, dimensions, etc.) can be positively embodied, i.e., present, or negatively embodied, i.e., absent. In this application document (the description of the invention (see above), the description of the drawings (see below), the list of reference numerals, the claims, the drawings), if according to the invention the non-presence of a negative feature is not important, the negative feature is not explicitly interpreted as a feature. That is, the present invention, which is actually manufactured rather than constructed by the prior art, includes the omission of this feature.

[0039] One feature of the present application document can be applied not only in the indicated type and / or manner, but also in another type and / or manner (isolation, combination, replacement, addition, separately, omission, etc.). In particular, in the specification, the list of reference signs, the claims and / or the drawings, features in the claims and / or the specification can be replaced, added or omitted based on the reference signs and the features assigned to them (or vice versa). Furthermore, the features in the claims can thus be explained and / or specified in more detail.

[0040] The features of the specification can also be interpreted as optional features (in view of the (usually initially unknown) prior art); that is, any feature can be interpreted as an optional, arbitrary or preferred feature, and thus it is not mandatory. Therefore, features can be separated from the exemplary embodiments, possibly including their surroundings, where the feature can then be transferred to the general concept of the present invention. The absence of a feature (negative feature) in the exemplary embodiments shows that the feature may be optional with respect to the present invention (for a person skilled in the art). Furthermore, in the case of the technical terms of a feature, the general terms of the feature can also be implicitly understood (possibly further hierarchically decomposed into subtypes, etc.), and thus, for example, generalization of the feature is possible taking into account equivalent effects and / or equivalency. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0041] In the schematic diagrams of the drawings (the drawings are only by way of example):

[0042] Figure 1 A side sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a protective flap device according to the present invention for a high-voltage connector according to the present invention is shown,

[0043] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Each shows an exemplary embodiment of a second embodiment of the protective flap device according to the present invention in a side sectional view ([[]] Figure 2 [[]]) and a front perspective view ([[]] Figure 3 [[]]) from an obliquely upper side, Figure 2 ) and a front perspective view ([[]] Figure 3 [[]]) from an obliquely upper side, Figure 3 ) shows an exemplary embodiment of a second embodiment of the protective flap device according to the present invention,

[0044] Figure 4 and Figure 5 Each shows a three-dimensional view of a clutch assembly between a protective flap and a retainer of the protective flap device for installation in Figure 4 ) and from the side ([[]] Figure 5 [[]]) for a protective flap device from Figure 5 ) observed from the front ([[]] Figure 4 [[]]) and from the side ([[]] Figure 5 [[]]), Figure 2 and Figure 3 and

[0045] Figure 6 and Figure 7 Each shows the internal self-inhibition of the protective flap device in the closed position ([[]] Figure 6 [[]]) and the open position ([[]] Figure 7 [[]]) of the protective flap in a side sectional perspective view, and Figure 6 ) and the open position ([[]] Figure 7 [[]]) in a side sectional perspective view, and Figure 7 ) of the protective flap device, and

[0046] Figure 8 Shows a perspective view of the CCS high-voltage connector for a vehicle as viewed obliquely from the front, the CCS high-voltage connector having an exemplary embodiment according to a second embodiment of the protective flap device of the present invention. Detailed description of the specific implementation

[0047] Hereinafter, based on two embodiments of the protective flap device 2 of the electric high-voltage charging connector 0 for a vehicle (see Figure 8 : the CCS high-voltage charging connector 0 designed as a high-voltage charging socket 0 (also see above)), the present invention will be explained in more detail. Of course, the present invention is also applicable to other electrical connectors (see above), especially the high-voltage connector 0. For this purpose, the high-voltage connector 0 can be designed, for example, as an attached connector 0, a built-in connector 0, possibly a flying plug connector 0, etc. Figure 1 and Figures 2-8 ) of the exemplary embodiment, the present invention will be explained in more detail. Of course, the present invention is also applicable to other electrical connectors (see above), especially the high-voltage connector 0. For this purpose, the high-voltage connector 0 can be designed, for example, as an attached connector 0, a built-in connector 0, possibly a flying plug connector 0, etc.

[0048] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in more detail by preferred exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but has a more fundamental nature. Other variants can be derived therefrom and / or from the above (description of the present invention) without departing from the protection scope of the present invention. The present invention is generally applicable to the electrical field, that is, also applicable to non-automotive fields and applicable to high-voltage electrical entities (see above). An exception is ground-based electrical engineering and its analogues.

[0049] In the drawings, only those spatial parts of the subject matter of the present invention necessary for understanding the present invention are shown. Names such as connectors and docking connectors, terminals and docking terminals, etc. should be interpreted synonymously, that is, if necessary, each name can be interchanged with each other. The explanation of the present invention based on the drawings (also see above) hereinafter particularly relates to the pivot axis SA of the protective flap device 2, its axial direction Ar (non-directional), its radial direction Rr (non-directional) and / or its circumferential direction Ur. The pivot axis SA is preferably coaxial with the clutch shaft 430 (see below).

[0050] Figure 1 Shows an exemplary embodiment according to a first embodiment of the protective flap device 2 of the present invention. The protective flap device 2 includes a retainer 20, an actuator 30, and a pivotable protective flap 50. The protective flap 50 is configured to pivot about the pivot axis SA on the retainer 20 or on / in the protective flap device 2 to open and close the mating surface 10 of the high-voltage connector 10 (see Figure 8 ). The protective flap 50 can be moved by means of the actuator 30 between the closed position G of the protective flap device 2 ( Figure 7 ) and the open position O ( Figure 6) pivot back and forth electromechanically as expected.

[0051] For this purpose, the actuator 30 engages translationally on the protective flap 50, wherein the radial rod 52 of the protective flap 50 ( Figure 1 ) or the radial rod 52 on the protective flap 50 ( Figures 2 to 8 ) converts the translational movement of the actuator 30 into a rotational movement of the protective flap 50. For this purpose, the actuator 30 has an actuating device 304, in particular designed as an actuating recess 304, which gives the actuator 30 the appearance of a claw in the region of the actuating recess 304, and a pivoting device 404, in particular in the form of a pin, of the protective flap 50 or of the protective flap device 2 is received in the actuating recess 304. The claw can here be composed of a single claw section or of multiple claw sections, in particular two claw sections.

[0052] The pivoting device 404 is configured to pivot about a pivot axis SA, wherein the rotational movement of the pivoting device 404 about the pivot axis SA is produced by the translational movement of the actuating recess 304. For this purpose, the pivoting device 404 moves both slightly translationally and slightly rotationally in the actuating recess 304, wherein the pivoting device 404 furthermore also performs the translational movement of the actuator 30. The translational movement component of the pivoting device 404 within the actuating recess 304 is preferably substantially perpendicular to the translational movement of the actuator 30. - Of course, a rotary actuator 30 is also applicable.

[0053] Figures 2 to 7 An exemplary embodiment of a second embodiment of the protective flap device 2 according to the invention is shown, wherein the protective flap device 2 is designed similarly to the Figure 1 protective flap device 2 and also includes a clutch 40 or an actuator disengaging clutch 40. The protective flap 50 can be pivoted back and forth manually as expected by means of the clutch 40 between the closed position G ( Figure 7 ) and the open position O ( Figure 6 ) of the protective flap device 2. That is, the actuation of the protective flap 50 by the actuator 30 is bypassed. The clutch 40 is here arranged in the flow of force between the actuator 30 and the protective flap 50, wherein the protective flap 50 can be separated from the holding force of the actuator 30 by means of the clutch 40.

[0054] The actual clutch (see in particular Figure 2 and Figure 3)Here, between two mounting devices 54 (in particular designed as mounting tabs 54) for protecting the flap 50, a clutch assembly 400, preferably drum-shaped or box-shaped (the clutch surface 550 of the mounting device 54 and the clutch surface 450 of the clutch assembly 400), is received between the two mounting devices 54. The mounting tabs 54 and the clutch assembly 400 are seated such that they can preferably move slightly back and forth axially in the direction Ar on the clutch shaft 430 (play), and the clutch shaft 430 is provided or mounted on / in the retainer 20. The actual clutch construction of the protection flap device 2 is between the inner side (clutch surface 450) of the mounting tab 54 and the associated outer side (clutch surface 550) of the clutch assembly 400.

[0055] For the electromechanical pivoting of the protection flap 50 (see also Figure 6 and Figure 7 ), the mutually associated clutch surfaces 550, 450 of the mounting tab 54 and the clutch assembly 400 abut against each other fixedly, in particular in a friction-locked and / or form-fitting manner, such that thereby, torque can be transmitted, in particular, from the clutch assembly 400 via the mounting tab 54 to the protection flap 50 (see below: the clutch locking device 452 engages in the clutch locking device 552). That is, the clutch 40 engages. Here, the protection flap 50 and the clutch assembly 400 can pivot basically (play) the same angle. For this purpose, the actuator 30 engages with its actuating device 304, in particular on the clutch assembly 400, and for this purpose, the clutch assembly 400 has a pivoting device 404.

[0056] For the manual pivoting of the protection flap 50 (see specifically Figure 4 and Figure 5 ), the corresponding above-mentioned fixed connection between the mutually associated clutch surfaces 550, 450 of the mounting tab 54 and the clutch assembly 400 (see above the mutual position of the clutch locking devices 452, 552) is disengaged, such that the protection flap 50 can pivot independently of the clutch assembly 400. That is, the clutch 40 is disengaged. No significant torque is transmitted between the protection flap 50 and the clutch assembly 400. The torque that can still be transmitted in this case is only generated by the sliding friction of the mounting tab 54 on the clutch assembly 400.

[0057] In order to enable the clutch 40 to be disengaged, the clutch assembly 400 is designed to be resilient, elastic or capable of being compressed and released in the axial direction Ar, such that the length of the clutch assembly 400 can be reduced and increased again or increased and reduced again in the axial direction Ar. - The clutch 40 is independently configured both for electromechanical pivoting and for manual pivoting, wherein the clutch assembly 400 presents its enlarged dimensions in the axial direction Ar for electromechanical pivoting and presents its reduced dimensions in the axial direction Ar for manual pivoting. The force for reducing the dimensions of the clutch assembly 400 is generated hereby by the force for manually pivoting the protective flap 50.

[0058] During the electromechanical pivoting of the protective flap 50, a force flow occurs starting from the motor-driven actuator 30 via the clutch assembly 400 and the engaged clutch 40 into the protective flap 50, wherein the clutch assembly 400 also pivots. - During the manual pivoting of the protective flap 50, a force flow occurs starting from the protective flap 50 via the clutch 40 which is being disengaged and then disengaged, wherein the clutch assembly 400 does not pivot and is fixed by the actuator 30.

[0059] Below, the single mounting tab 54 and the two clutch surfaces 550, 450 of the clutch assembly 400 related to one another are explained in more detail with regard to their design and their function (see in particular Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). The explanations in this regard also relate in particular to other clutch surfaces 550, 450 on the other side of the clutch assembly 400 in the axial direction Ar. - In this case, the clutch surfaces 550, 450 are preferably approximately circular in a first approximation and in a top view along the axial direction Ar and are arranged coaxially with respect to one another relative to the clutch shaft 430.

[0060] The clutch surface 450 of the clutch assembly 400 preferably has clutch locking means 452 for catching the clutch locking means 551, 552, 553 of the mounting means 54 of the clutch surface 550. In this case, the clutch locking means 452 are in particular designed as form-fitting locking means 452 and are preferably conceived as protrusions, wherein, of course, recesses can also be used. - Depending on the design of the clutch 40, the clutch locking means 452 can include more than one protrusion and / or more than one recess.

[0061] Furthermore, the clutch surface 550 of the mounting device 54 preferably has three clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 offset in the circumferential direction Ur. The clutch locking device 551 is herein contemplated for the manual open position O, the clutch locking device 552 is contemplated for the electromechanical pivot, and the clutch locking device 553 is contemplated for the manual closed position G. The associated clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 are in particular designed as form-fitting locking devices 551, 552, 553 and are preferably contemplated as recesses, where, of course, protrusions can also be used. - Depending on the design of the clutch 40, the clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 can include more than one recess and / or more than one protrusion; the only condition being that they are formed substantially identically to each other such that they can interact with the clutch locking device 452 of the clutch assembly 400.

[0062] The preferably single-sided clutch locking device 452 of the clutch assembly 400 serves to engage with the clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553 of the mounting device 54. - If the clutch locking device 452 is locked with the middle clutch locking device 552 in the circumferential direction Ur, the protective flap 50 can be moved from its open position O to its closed position G and from its closed position G to its open position O by means of an electric motor.

[0063] Now for the two cases where the protective flap 50 is to be moved manually and the clutch locking device 452 is locked with the middle clutch locking device 552 in the circumferential direction Ur. During the manual movement of the protective flap 50, the clutch assembly 400 is compressed due to the interaction of the protrusions provided between the mutually associated clutch surfaces 450, 550; thus, on the one hand, the protrusion 452 of the clutch assembly 400 and, on the other hand, the protrusions formed between the clutch locking devices 551 and 552 or 552 and 553 (see Figure 5 ). Of course, this occurs on both sides of the clutch assembly 400, where the clutch 40 is disengaged in this way.

[0064] If the protective flap 50 is manually moved from its closed position G to its open position O (starting position: the clutch locking device 452 and the clutch locking device 552 are engaged), the clutch 40 is thus disengaged and the clutch locking device 452 snaps into the clutch locking device 553. And if the protective flap 50 is manually moved from its open position O to its closed position G (starting position: the clutch locking device 452 and the clutch locking device 552 are engaged), the clutch 40 is thus disengaged and the clutch locking device 452 snaps into the clutch locking device 551. - By actuating the actuator 30, the clutch locking device 452 can be engaged with the clutch locking device 552 again.

[0065] In order to make the clutch assembly 400 elastic, resilient or compressible in the axial direction Ar, the clutch assembly 400 may have two pressure members 410, 420, which are opposite to each other in the axial direction Ar, are particularly arranged to be rotatable on the clutch shaft 430, and are preferably engaged with each other so that they guide each other in the axial direction Ar. For this purpose, a spring element 440 is constructed especially on the clutch shaft 430, and the spring element mechanically pre-tensions the two pressure members 410, 420 towards each other in the axial direction Ar. The spring element 440 is especially designed as a helical spring 440, an elastic element, an elastomeric element, etc. The spring element 440 especially enables the re-engagement of the clutch 40 after the clutch 40 is disengaged.

[0066] In order to guide each other, the pressure members 410, 420 have guiding devices 411, 412; 421, 422, and the pressure members 410, 420 are engaged with each other by means of the guiding devices, whereby they pivot or rotate only jointly in the circumferential direction Ur (the clutch assembly 400 without the spring element 440). A preferably pin-shaped pivoting device 404 is constructed between the two pressure members 410, 420 to actuate the clutch assembly 400. For this purpose, the pressure members 410, 420 are correspondingly accommodated so that the actuator 30 can be engaged on the pivoting device 404.

[0067] The first pressure member 410 includes at least one or preferably at least two guiding protrusions 411, and the guiding protrusions 411 are especially formed as guiding pins 411 (guiding device 411). In this case, two guiding protrusions 411 that are directly adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction Ur preferably do not have a circumferential connection portion inside the radial direction Rr (see below). In addition, the first pressure member 410 includes at least one or preferably at least two guiding recesses 412 (guiding device 412), which are especially formed as guiding longitudinal recesses 412, and one guiding recess 412 can be constructed between the two guiding protrusions 411 in the circumferential direction Ur.

[0068] The second pressure member 420 includes at least one or preferably at least two guiding protrusions 422 (guiding device 422), which are especially formed as guiding pins 422. In this case, two guiding protrusions 422 that are directly adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction Ur preferably have a circumferential connection portion 423 inside the radial direction Rr. In addition, the second pressure member 420 includes at least one or preferably at least two guiding recesses 421 (guiding device 421) especially designed as guiding longitudinal recesses 421, and one guiding recess 421 can be constructed between the two guiding protrusions 422 in the circumferential direction Ur.

[0069] Within the clutch assembly 400, the guiding projection 411 of the first pressure member 410 engages in the guiding recess 421 of the second pressure member 420, and the guiding projection 422 of the second pressure member 420 engages in the guiding recess 412 of the first pressure member 410. By means of this mutual guiding of the guiding means 411, 412; 421, 422, the ability to transfer torque from one pressure member 410 / 420 to the other pressure member 420 / 410 is also ensured.

[0070] The protective flap device 2 is preferably designed (see Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) such that in the closed position G and / or the open position O, the actuator 30 is seated on the clutch assembly 400 or on one of the pressure members 410, 420, such that the protective flap device 2 suppresses its own inherent movement. In this case, the actuator 30 impedes further movement of the clutch assembly 400, and the clutch assembly 400 impedes further movement of the actuator 30. Preferably, the planar region of the actuator 30 is seated in each case here (closed position G, open position O) on the planar region of the clutch assembly 400 or on the planar region of the pressure members 410, 420.

[0071] See Figure 6 , the region above the actuating means 304 of the actuator 30 is seated on the radial region of the pressure member 420. And see Figure 7 , the region below the actuating means 304 of the actuator 30 is seated on the region of the pressure member 420 extending in the circumferential direction Um and the radial direction Ra. Of course, this can also be implemented similarly using the pressure member 410.

[0072] Finally, Figure 8 There is also shown a CCS high-voltage connector 0, which has preferably a multi-piece connector housing 1 and two mating surfaces 10, 12. In this case, the first mating surface 10 is designed such that it can be covered by the protective flap device 2 (closed position G of the protective flap 20). Furthermore, the figure shows the received motor 60 (see above), by means of which the protective flap 50 can be pivoted via the actuator 30 and the clutch assembly 400. The motor 60 or the housing of the motor 60 can be fixedly connected to the retainer 20 here, in particular screwed onto the retainer 20.

[0073] List of reference numerals

[0074] 0 (Electrical) high-voltage connector for (electrical) high-voltage connection

[0075] 1 Connector housing

[0076] 2 (High-voltage connector) protective flap device

[0077] 10 (First) mating surface

[0078] 12 (Second) mating surface

[0079] 20 Retainer

[0080] 30 Actuator

[0081] 40 Clutch

[0082] 50 (Pivotable) protective flap

[0083] 52 Radial rod

[0084] 54 Mounting device, in particular mounting tab

[0085] 60 Motor

[0086] 304 Actuating device, in particular actuating recess

[0087] 400 Clutch assembly

[0088] 404 Pivoting device, in particular pin

[0089] 410 (First) pressure member

[0090] 411 Guide device, in particular guide projection

[0091] 412 Guide device, in particular guide recess

[0092] 420 (Second) pressure member

[0093] 421 Guide device, in particular guide recess

[0094] 422 Guide device, in particular guide projection

[0095] 423 Circumferential connection (inside the radial Rr) of the two guide devices 422, 422

[0096] 430 Clutch shaft

[0097] 440 Spring element, in particular helical spring

[0098] 450 Clutch surface of the clutch assembly 400

[0099] 452 Clutch locking device for engaging the clutch locking devices 551, 552, 553

[0100] 550 Clutch surface of the mounting device 54

[0101] 551 Clutch locking device for the manual open position O

[0102] 552 Clutch locking device for electromechanical pivoting

[0103] Clutch locking device for manual closing position G

[0104] O Open position

[0105] G Closed position

[0106] SA Pivot axis

[0107] Ar Axial direction (non - oriented) of pivot axis SA

[0108] Rr Radial direction (non - oriented) relative to pivot axis SA

[0109] Ur Circumferential direction (non - oriented) relative to pivot axis SA

Claims

1. A high - voltage connector protection flap device (2) for an electrical high - voltage connector (0), in particular for a high - voltage charging connector (0) of a vehicle or a charging station having an electric traction motor. The high - voltage connector protection flap device (2) has a retainer (20), an actuator (30), and a protection flap (50), wherein, the protection flap (50) is configured to be pivotable at the retainer (20) between a closed position (G) and an open position (O) of the protection flap device (2) to open and close a mating surface (10) of the high - voltage connector (0), characterized in that, the protection flap device (2) is designed such that the protection flap (50) can be pivotally moved electro - mechanically as expected by the actuator (30), and in addition, the protection flap (50) can alternatively be pivotally moved manually as expected.

2. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to claim 1, wherein For the electro - mechanical pivoting of the protection flap (50), the actuator (30) engages translationally or rotationally at the protection flap (50), and / or for the manual pivoting of the protection flap (50), a clutch (40) is arranged in the force flow between the actuator (30) and the protection flap (50), by means of which the protection flap (50) can be disengaged from the holding force of the actuator (30).

3. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The protection flap (50) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (SA), wherein: · the protection flap device (2) or the protection flap (50) has a radial rod (52) relative to the pivot axis (SA), the actuator (30) engages at the radial rod (52), and the protection flap (50) can be pivoted via the radial rod (52), · the radial rod (52) of the protection flap device (2) or the protection flap (50) is constructed at an angle of approximately 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120°, 135°, 150°, 165°, or 180° relative to the covering plane of the protection flap (50), and / or · the actuator (30) is configured to be able to move substantially translationally back and forth at / in the retainer (20) for the electro - mechanical pivoting of the protection flap (50).

4. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The actuator (30) has an actuating device (304), by means of which a pivoting device (404) of the protection flap device (2) or the protection flap (50) can be moved about the pivot axis (SA), wherein: · a bearing between the actuating device (304) and the pivoting device (404) converts the translational movement of the actuator (30) into a rotational movement of the pivoting device (404) relative to the pivot axis (SA), · the bearing between the actuating device (304) and the pivoting device (404) is configured as a sliding bearing, and / or · the actuator (30) and its actuating device (304) are substantially formed as a claw in the region of the pivoting device (404).

5. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The protective flap device (2) is designed such that: · the entire clutch (40) also pivots during the electromechanical pivoting of the protective flap (50), · the clutch (40) is friction - locked and / or form - fit - locked in the unloaded state and remains closed, · the manual pivoting of the protective flap (50) is effected by the clutch (40), and / or · the clutch (40) allows the manual pivoting of the protective flap (50) substantially independently of the position of the actuator (30).

6. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The clutch (40) includes a clutch assembly (400) by means of which, on the one hand, a force flow between the actuator (30) and the protective flap (50) can be established and, on the other hand, the force flow between the actuator (30) and the protective flap (50) can be interrupted, where: · in the docking state of the clutch assembly (400), the force flow is established between the actuator (30) and the protective flap (50), · during the electromechanical pivoting of the protective flap (50), the force flow is established between the actuator (30) and the protective flap (50), and / or · during the manual pivoting of the protective flap (50), the force flow between the actuator (30) and the protective flap (50) is interrupted.

7. The high - voltage connector protective flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: · the clutch assembly (400) is mounted at / in the retainer (20) such that the clutch assembly (400) can pivot or rotate about the pivot axis (SA), where the clutch assembly (400) is preferably accommodated at / in the retainer (20) by means of a clutch shaft (430), · the clutch assembly (400) is accommodated on the clutch shaft (430) such that the clutch assembly (400) can move back and forth in one or two axial directions (Ar), and / or · the clutch assembly (400) is designed to be elastic or resilient in the axial direction (Ar) of the pivot axis (SA) and is preferably drum - shaped or preferably box - shaped.

8. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The clutch assembly (400) includes two pressure members (410, 420) that can move towards each other, where: · the pressure members (410, 420) are configured to be mechanically pre - tensioned towards each other in the axial direction (Ar) in the clutch assembly (400), · the pressure members (410, 420) are designed such that they guide each other in the axial direction (Ar) such that they can only pivot or rotate together in the circumferential direction (Ur), and / or · the pivoting device (404) for the protective flap (50) of the protective flap device (2) is configured in the axial direction (Ar) between the pressure members (410, 420).

9. The high - voltage connector protective flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: · The clutch assembly (400) is arranged between two mounting devices (54) of the protective flap (50), and the two mounting devices (54) are also mounted to be pivotable or rotatable on the clutch shaft (430). · The clutch assembly (400) has a clutch surface (450) of the clutch (40) of the protective flap device (2) on at least one outer side in the axial direction (Ar), particularly on each of the two outer sides in the axial direction (Ar), and / or · At least one mounting device (54) of the protective flap (50), particularly two mounting devices (54), has a clutch surface (550) of the clutch (40) of the protective flap device (2) on the inner side in the axial direction (Ar).

10. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, In order to transmit force within the protective flap device (2): · The two mutually related clutch surfaces (450, 550) of the clutch assembly (400) and the mounting device (54) are formed as friction surfaces and / or form - fit surfaces. · The two mutually related clutch surfaces (450, 550) of the clutch assembly (400) and the mounting device (54) have mutually related clutch locking devices (452; 551, 552, 553). · The clutch locking devices (452; 551, 552, 553) of the mutually related clutch surfaces (450, 550) can interact such that the protective flap (50) can be pivoted between a closed position (G) and an open position (O) electromechanically and manually.

11. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that In order to transmit force within the protective flap device (2): · The clutch surface (450) of the clutch assembly (400) has a single clutch locking device (452) for catching the clutch locking devices (551, 552, 553) of the mounting device (54). · The clutch surface (550) of the mounting device (54) has at least two, particularly three, clutch locking devices (551, 552, 553) which are arranged offset relative to each other in the circumferential direction (Ur), and / or · The clutch surface (550) of the mounting device (54) has clutch locking devices (551, 552, 553) for the manual open position (O), electromechanical pivoting, and / or manual closed position (G) of the protective flap device (2).

12. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The protective flap device (2) is designed such that, in the closed position (G) and / or open position (O) of the protective flap device (2): · A self - lock is substantially established between the actuator (30) and the clutch assembly (400) or preferably a single pressure member (410 / 420). · The actuator (30) is seated at the clutch assembly (400) such that the clutch assembly (400) prevents further movement of the actuator (30), and / or · The actuator (30) is seated with a corresponding surface section against a corresponding surface section of the clutch assembly (400) or against a corresponding surface section of a single pressure member (410 / 420).

13. The high-voltage connector protection flap device (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: · The protection flap device (2) has a motor (60) for operating the actuator (30), · The retainer (20) is screwed together with the preferably accommodated motor (60), and / or · The protection flap device (2) forms part of the connector housing (1) of the high-voltage connector (0).

14. An electric high-voltage connector (0), in particular a high-voltage charging connector (0) for a vehicle or a charging station having an electric traction motor, wherein The high-voltage connector (0) has at least one connector housing (1) and a high-voltage connector protection flap device (2), characterized in that The protection flap device (2) is designed according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. An electric high-voltage entity, in particular an electric high-voltage entity for a vehicle or a charging station having an electric traction motor, wherein The high-voltage entity includes an electric high-voltage device and a high-voltage connector protection flap device (2), and / or an electric high-voltage connector (0), characterized in that The protection flap device (2) and / or the high-voltage connector (0) is designed according to any one of the preceding claims.

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