Sealable enclosure for a flat conductor rail arrangement

Abstract

Sealable housing (100) for a flat conductor rail assembly (1) for a vehicle, comprising: a first housing part (110) and a second housing part (120) that complements the housing (100), each comprising a base body (111, 121) and a housing wall (112, 122) extending away from and surrounding the base body (111, 121), which has a partial material recess to form a housing opening (130) for the passage of the flat conductor rail arrangement (1), wherein the first and / or second housing part (110, 120) has at least one sealing element (140) which is integrally formed at least in the area of ​​the material recess in order to seal the respective housing part (110, 120) and the flat conductor rail assembly (110) against each other, and wherein the first and / or second housing part (110, 120) has a channel (150, 150A, 150B) for a sealing agent (160) which extends along an end face of the housing wall (112, 122) facing away from the base body (111, 121) and along the material recess such that it surrounds the respective housing part (110, 120), wherein the channel (150) has at least a first channel section (150A) which is formed in the end face of the housing wall (112, 122), and a second channel section (150B) which is formed in the material recess, and at least one first channel section (150A) and the second channel section (150B) are fluidically connected to each other.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealable housing for a flat conductor rail assembly and a flat conductor rail assembly with such a housing. Such an enclosed flat conductor rail assembly can be used, for example, in an electrical system, a charging network, a battery line, a traction path, or similar component of a vehicle, motor vehicle, etc. State of the art

[0002] For example, in automotive engineering, rail-shaped flat conductors are used for electrical lines. These typically have a rectangular cross-section and extend lengthwise to supply components of the vehicle's electrical system with power. An arrangement with two or more rail-shaped flat conductors, i.e., a multiple flat conductor rail arrangement with two or more flat conductor rails (e.g., a double flat conductor rail arrangement), can also be used, where the first flat conductor rail forms a power supply line and the second flat conductor rail forms a ground line. Such a flat conductor rail arrangement is usually enclosed and sealed against environmental influences, such as water ingress. For example, the contacts of the flat conductor rail arrangement are typically made within a housing.However, this is all the more difficult if the housing is to be usable for, for example, different flat conductor rail cross-sections or sealing classes, since no suitable housing that can be designed and / or sealed for this purpose is known.

[0003] DE 10 2016 114 453 A1 discloses a housing for an electrical device of a motor vehicle. The housing comprises a first housing part that at least partially surrounds the electrical device, and a second housing part that at least partially surrounds the electrical device and which, together with the first housing part, forms a central cavity for receiving the electrical device.

[0004] DE 10 2016 116 563 A1 discloses a housing element for receiving an electrical component, comprising at least one first housing element part and a second housing element part movable relative to it, which are made of a first plastic component and in which, during a movement in the direction of a closed position of the housing element, at least one impact surface of the first housing element part and at least one impact surface of the second housing element part approach each other.

[0005] US Patent 2018 / 0174716A1 discloses a wiring element comprising a laminated flat conductor and an insulating layer surrounding the laminated flat conductor. The laminated flat conductor comprises a plurality of flat conductors stacked one on top of the other in one thickness direction of the laminated flat conductor, and insulating sheet elements arranged between adjacent members of the plurality of flat conductors, electrically insulating them. Description of the invention

[0006] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a housing for a flat conductor rail arrangement that can be sealed as well as possible using the simplest possible means in terms of construction.

[0007] The problem is solved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the description, and the accompanying figures.

[0008] A sealable housing for a flat conductor rail assembly is proposed, which can be used, for example, in a vehicle. The housing comprises a first housing part and a second housing part that complements the housing. Both the first and second housing parts have a base body and a housing wall extending from and surrounding the base body. The housing wall has a partial material recess to form an opening through which the flat conductor rail assembly can pass. The first and / or second housing part has at least one sealing element, which is integrally formed at least in the area of ​​the material recess and / or the housing opening, to seal the housing part and the flat conductor rail assembly against each other.In addition, the first and / or second housing part has a channel for a sealant, which extends along an end face of the housing wall facing away from the base body and along the material recess in such a way that it surrounds the respective housing part.

[0009] The proposed housing enables a sealed enclosure of the flat conductor rail assembly, allowing for different sealing classes depending on whether the channel is filled with a sealant or not, and depending on which sealant is used. The at least one sealing element seals the transition between the at least one flat conductor rail or the flat conductor rail assembly and the housing. The channel at the joint of the two housing parts, and any additional cavity between the sealing lips, can be filled with the sealant, e.g., a potting compound, after the housing is assembled. This allows for the implementation of different sealing requirements (IP classes). Unlike the common practice in electromechanics, where entire assemblies are potted with potting compounds or...Unlike housings that are cast with resins, resulting in heavy, expensive, and time-consuming assemblies, the proposed housing—if desired in addition to the at least one sealing element—only requires filling a portion, namely the channel, with a sealant, potting compound, resin, or similar material. This saves time, weight, and costs. Advantageously, while the channel for the sealant runs around the entire housing component, its volume for receiving the sealant is significantly smaller than the total volume of the housing component and / or the housing itself.

[0010] The first and second housing parts are designed to be complementary to each other, meaning they complete the housing when assembled. Each of the first and second housing parts can form one half of the housing. These housing parts can also be identical components, preferably assembled in a mirror-image fashion. Preferably, the two end faces, in particular the end surfaces, of the housing walls form the joint between the two housing parts, which either simply rest against each other, achieving a sealing effect, for example, through frictional engagement, or, if appropriately shaped, can also form a positive fit with a sealing effect. If the channel is filled or sealed with the sealant, a particularly high sealing effect is achieved.The required sealing class is achieved, with the channel having a comparatively small volume relative to the entire housing and therefore only slightly increasing the weight of the flat conductor rail assembly. An interface for electrical contacting the flat conductor rail assembly can be provided in or on the housing to connect the assembly to an electrical component, consumer, or the like. The first and second housing parts can be made of a suitable plastic material, preferably by injection molding. Preferably, a multi-component injection molding process, e.g., a two-component injection molding process, is used to mold the at least one sealing element made of one plastic material onto the housing part made of a different plastic material.The material recess for forming the housing opening can have a U-shape, in which the free ends of the housing wall form the two legs that are connected to each other via the base body, whereby the U-shape does not necessarily have to be round but can also be angular.

[0011] As used herein, a flat conductor rail can be understood to be a rigid conductor element with a rectangular cross-section, where the area is generally greater than the thickness. Such a flat conductor rail can be made of an electrically conductive metallic material, such as copper, aluminum, or the like. Such a flat conductor rail can be provided with an insulating sheath. A flat conductor rail assembly can comprise one, two, or more individual flat conductor rails, with a double flat conductor rail assembly, which consequently comprises two flat conductor rails, being preferred. The two flat conductor rails can be arranged parallel to each other, with a first flat conductor rail representing a supply line and a second flat conductor rail representing a ground line.The term sealant can refer to any type of fluid that can achieve a sealing effect, and can also include a potting compound, resin, or similar substance known from electromechanics.

[0012] According to a further development, the channel in the housing wall can be formed by a groove molded on or in the end face. For example, the housing wall can extend beyond an end face on both the outer and inner sides of the housing part, thus forming a groove. This groove can then be optionally filled or cast with the sealant, e.g., a potting compound, a resin, or the like. In this way, the groove only holds a volume of sealant that is significantly less than the total volume of the housing part and / or the housing.

[0013] In a further development, the channel of the material recess can be formed by a groove extending between two free ends of the housing wall. For example, the material recess can interrupt the housing wall section by section, resulting in two free ends. In this section, the material may, but does not have to, be completely removed or at least significantly reduced to form the housing opening. However, enough material can be provided to form the groove, which can then be optionally filled with a sealant, such as a potting compound, resin, or similar substance. In this way, the groove only holds a volume of sealant that is significantly less than the total volume of the housing part and / or the housing itself.

[0014] According to the invention, the channel comprises at least a first channel section formed in the end face of the housing wall and a second channel section formed in the material recess, wherein the at least one first channel section and the second channel section are fluidically connected to each other. In other words, the multiple channel sections can communicate fluidically with each other, so that they form the channel surrounding the housing part, which can be filled as a whole with the sealant. The channel sections can be formed in different sizes, so that, for example, more sealant can be provided at the material recess or the housing opening than at the end face of the housing wall forming the joint of the housing parts.

[0015] In a further development, the second channel section can be formed by at least one material extension of the housing wall, which extends from the end face of the housing wall along its side wall and along a surface of the base body facing the end face. For example, the housing wall can be extended beyond an edge of the end face by the material extension, which then extends longitudinally along an inner side of the housing wall or housing part to the base body, i.e., a surface of the base body facing the inner side of the housing part. There, on the base body, the material extension can then extend further to the opposite housing wall. In this way, the material extension can also – if doubled – form a groove and receive the sealant within it.

[0016] According to a further development, the at least one sealing element can be integrally formed on a surface of the material extension facing the housing opening. For example, the material extension can be formed on an inner side of the housing wall and on a surface of the base body facing the inner side of the housing part, where it forms a kind of base, ridge, or the like, with the at least one sealing element formed on it. In this way, the housing opening can be formed solely by the at least one sealing element, with the corresponding channel and / or channel section optionally being filled with the sealant.

[0017] In a further development, the material recess can have at least one separating web that divides the housing opening and / or the material recess. For example, the separating web can extend from the base body in the same direction as the housing wall and also have the same height. In this way, several, i.e., two or more, individual flat conductor rails can be securely held in the housing opening and / or material recess. Preferably, at least one sealing element is arranged on the separating web on the side facing the flat conductor arrangement in order to seal individual flat conductor rails.

[0018] According to a further development, at least one of the first and second housing parts can have an additional housing opening for an electrical interface of the flat conductor rail assembly. For example, this additional housing opening can be formed outside the housing wall in the base body or its surface, perpendicular to the housing wall. This allows the flat conductor assembly to be brought into contact with a mating contact, e.g., a load, a battery, or the like.

[0019] In a further development, the first and second housing parts can be fastened to each other via at least one snap connection and / or a screw connection, and the end faces of the respective housing walls of the first and second housing parts form a joining point between the two housing parts. In this way, the housing can be easily assembled, and the channel can optionally be filled with the sealant during or after assembly.

[0020] Furthermore, a flat conductor rail arrangement for a vehicle is proposed. This arrangement comprises at least one flat conductor rail and a sealable housing in one or more of the embodiments described above. The at least one flat conductor rail is partially enclosed within the housing.

[0021] Regarding the possible further developments and advantages of the proposed flat conductor rail arrangement, reference is made to the above statements.

[0022] Furthermore, the invention also relates to a manufacturing process for a sealable housing and / or a flat conductor rail assembly. In this process, the first and / or second housing part is formed with the at least one sealing element using a multi-component injection molding process. During or after assembly, in which the flat conductor rail is arranged section by section in the housing, the channel of the respective housing part is filled with the sealant.

[0023] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the housing described above for contacting a flat conductor rail arrangement in a vehicle.

[0024] Further features, advantages and possible applications of the invention will become apparent from the following description of advantageous embodiments and the accompanying figures. Brief character description

[0025] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 in a perspective view a flat conductor rail arrangement with a sealable housing according to one embodiment. Fig. 2 in a perspective view a flat conductor rail arrangement with only one housing part of a sealable housing according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 in a perspective view a housing part of a sealable housing for a flat conductor rail arrangement according to an embodiment. Fig. 4 in a top view a flat conductor rail arrangement with only one housing part according to one embodiment. Fig. 5 in a schematic sectional view a flat conductor rail arrangement with only one housing part according to one embodiment. Fig. 6 in a schematic sectional view a flat conductor rail arrangement with a first and a second housing part according to an embodiment.

[0026] The figures are merely schematic representations and serve only to illustrate the invention. Identical or equivalent elements are consistently identified by the same reference numerals. Description of embodiments

[0027] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a flat conductor rail arrangement 1, which has at least one flat conductor rail 10, 20 and a housing 100. The flat conductor rail arrangement 1 can be used, for example, in a vehicle, motor vehicle or the like, where the housing 100 can form an interface to a mating contact of the vehicle, such as generally a part of an electrical system, a battery or the like.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the flat conductor rail arrangement 1 as an example two flat conductor rails 10, 20, which thus form a double flat conductor rail arrangement, in which, for example, the flat conductor rail 10 forms a supply line and the flat conductor rail 20 forms a ground line.

[0029] According to Fig. 1. The housing 100 comprises a first housing part 110 and a second housing part 120 that complements the housing 100. The first and second housing parts 110, 120 are, for example, formed from an injection-moldable plastic material using a suitable injection molding process. The first and second housing parts 110, 120 can each form a housing half. The first and second housing parts 110, 120 each have a base body 111, 121 and a housing wall 112, 122 extending from and surrounding the base body 111, 121, which has a partial material recess to form a housing opening 130 for the passage of the flat conductor rail assembly 1. Furthermore, the first and / or second housing part 110, 120 has at least one sealing element 140 (see, for example, Figure 1). Fig. 2 to 5), which is integrally formed with the material of the respective housing part 110, 120, at least in the area of ​​the material recess, in order to seal the respective housing part 110, 120 and the flat conductor rail arrangement 1 or the flat conductor rails 10, 20 against each other. Furthermore, the first and / or second housing part 110, 120 has a channel 150 (see e.g. Fig. 2 to 6) for a sealant 160 (see e.g. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) has a channel 150 extending along an end face of the housing wall 112, 122 facing away from the respective base body 111, 121 and along the material recess such that it surrounds the respective housing part 110, 120. Preferably, the channel 150 completely surrounds the respective housing part 110, 120 or the housing 100.

[0030] According to Fig. 1 The first and second housing parts 110, 120 each have parts of a snap connection 170 and / or a screw connection 180, of which in Fig. 1 each is designated as an example. The two housing parts 120, 130 can be attached to each other via this, with the respective end face of the housing parts 120, 130 representing the joining point of the two housing parts 110, 120.

[0031] It should be noted that the channel 150 can optionally be filled with the sealant 160, depending on the desired sealing class of the housing 100. In a lower sealing class, the sealing element 140 can already achieve a sufficient sealing effect; in a higher sealing class, the sealant 160 can additionally be introduced into the channel 150.

[0032] Fig. Figure 2 shows the flat conductor rail arrangement 1 with only a part of the housing 100, namely only with the first housing part 110. At least the principle described herein for the first housing part 110 with regard to structure and function can also be transferred to the second housing part 120, so that this is not described separately.

[0033] In Fig. Figure 2 shows, among other things, the material recess and the resulting housing opening 130 more clearly. The flat conductor rails 10 and 20 are inserted into the housing 100 through the housing opening 130 and contact contact elements there, which in turn form an electrical interface to a mating contact, e.g., outside the housing 100. Channel 150 is also in Fig. 2 is easier to see. It can be distinguished into a first channel section 150A in the area of ​​the housing wall 112 and a second channel section 150B in the area of ​​the material recess or the housing opening 130, whereby these two channel sections 150A, 150B are fluidically connected to each other. The channel 150 in the first channel section 150A is designed as a groove that extends along the end face of the housing wall 150A and opens into the second channel section 150B in the area of ​​the material recess or the housing opening 130, which then extends through the material recess or housing opening 130. In addition, in Fig. 2. To better identify the sealing element 140, which is arranged on an inner side of the housing wall 112 in the area of ​​the material recess or the housing opening 130, in order to press against the flat conductor rails 10, 20 and thus seal the space between the housing wall 112 and the respective flat conductor rail 10, 20. The sealing element 140 has one or more sealing lips that can at least partially form the channel 150 or define a space or volume that is fluidically connected to the channel 150. For example, the channel 150, i.e., a channel section 150B thereof, can be formed in the material recess or in the area of ​​the housing opening 130 by a groove and / or by or with the sealing element 140, which extends across the material recess or housing opening 130 from one free end of the housing wall 112 to a free end of the housing wall 112 opposite it.It is therefore also possible that the sealing element 140 forms the groove or several grooves of the channel 150.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the first housing part 110, although this is only an example and the description also applies, at least in essence, to the second housing part 120. It can be seen that the channel 150, in particular the first channel section 150A, runs around the entire housing wall 112 and opens into the second channel section 150B at each free end of the housing wall 112, i.e., where it is interrupted by the material recess or the housing opening 130. The second channel section 150B is formed by a material extension that extends from the end face of the housing wall 112, where the first channel section 150A opens into the second channel section 150B, along an inner surface of the housing wall 112 and along an inner surface of the base body 111, through the material recess or the housing opening 130, to the other free end of the housing wall 112 up to its end face. The material extension is doubled, or...The material recess is formed in a double row to accommodate the second channel section 150B. It is also evident that the recess has a separating web 190, which is arranged within the recess or the housing opening 130 to guide and / or fix the flat conductor rails 10, 20 individually. The sealing element 140 is also formed on the separating web 190, forming a U-shape with the housing wall 112 and the separating web 190. Several separating webs 190 can be provided, between which the second channel section 150B is arranged. Furthermore, one or more (unlabeled) openings or additional housing openings are provided in the base body 111, serving as interfaces for the flat conductor arrangement 1 or the flat conductor rails 10, 20, and which may be omitted in the second housing part 120. It should be noted that this additional housing opening can also be created, for example, by...A sealing element, sealant, or the like (not shown) may be used for sealing. It should be noted that sealant 160 may be present in channel 150 or in channel sections 150A and 150B.

[0035] Fig. Figure 4 shows a top view of part of the flat conductor rail assembly 1, in which only the first housing part 110 is depicted. The second channel section 150B, the sealing element 140, and the separating web 190 are more clearly visible here. At each free end of the housing wall 112, the first channel section 150A opens into the second channel section 150B, thus connecting them fluidically, so that the channel 150 encircles the entire first housing part 110. It should be noted that the second housing part 120 is identical in this respect.

[0036] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic sectional view of part of the flat conductor rail assembly 1. The second channel section 150B runs through the material recess or the housing opening 130, and the arrangement and function of the sealing element 140 are also more clearly visible. It is also indicated that the sealant 160 is introduced into the channel 150 or the second channel section 150B. Furthermore, it can be seen that the sealing element 140 has sealing lips where it comes into contact with the flat conductor rails 10 and 20. It should be noted that the first housing part 110 is shown here as an example, but this also applies to the second housing part 120.

[0037] Fig.Figure 6 shows a section view of a partial section of the housing 100 or the flat conductor rail arrangement 1, in which the two housing parts 110 and 120 are joined together and the sealing agent 160 is introduced into the channel 150, here in particular the first channel section 150A. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Flat conductor rail arrangement 10 flat conductor rail 20 flat conductor rail 100 cases 110 first housing part 111 Basic body 112 Housing wall 120 second housing part 121 Basic body 122 Housing wall 130 Case opening 140 sealing element 150 channels 150A channel section 150B Canal Section 160 sealants 170 Snap connection 180 screw connection 190 dividing bridge

Claims

[1] Sealable housing (100) for a flat conductor rail assembly (1) for a vehicle, comprising: a first housing part (110) and a second housing part (120) that complements the housing (100), each comprising a base body (111, 121) and a housing wall (112, 122) extending away from and surrounding the base body (111, 121), which has a material recess section by section to form a housing opening (130) for passing the flat conductor rail arrangement (1), wherein the first and / or second housing part (110, 120) has at least one sealing element (140) which is integrally formed at least in the area of ​​the material recess in order to seal the respective housing part (110, 120) and the flat conductor rail assembly (110) against each other, and wherein the first and / or second housing part (110, 120) has a channel (150, 150A, 150B) for a sealing agent (160) which extends along an end face of the housing wall (112, 122) facing away from the base body (111, 121) and along the material recess such that it surrounds the respective housing part (110, 120), wherein the channel (150) has at least a first channel section (150A) which is formed in the end face of the housing wall (112, 122), and a second channel section (150B) which is formed in the material recess, and at least one first channel section (150A) and the second channel section (150B) are fluidically connected to each other. [2] Sealable housing (100) according to claim 1, wherein the channel (150, 150A) in the housing wall (112) is formed by a groove formed on or in the end face. [3] Sealable housing (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the channel (150, 150B) of the material recess is formed by a groove extending between two free ends of the housing wall (112, 122). [4] Sealable housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second channel section (150B) is formed by a material extension of the housing wall (112, 122) which extends from the end face of the housing wall (112, 122) along its side wall and along a surface of the base body (111, 121) facing the end face. [5] Sealable housing (100) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one sealing element (140) is integrally formed on a surface of the material extension facing the housing opening (130). [6] Sealable housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the material recess has at least one partition (190) that divides the housing opening (130). [7] Sealable housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first and second housing parts (110, 120) has a further housing opening (130) for an electrical interface of the flat conductor rail arrangement (1). [8] Sealable housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second housing part (110, 120) can be fastened to each other via at least one snap connection (170) and / or a screw connection (180), and the end faces of the housing walls (112, 122) of the first and second housing part (110, 120) form a joining point of the two housing parts. [9] Flat conductor rail arrangement (1) for a vehicle, comprising: at least one flat conductor rail (10, 20) and a sealable housing (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one flat conductor rail is partially enclosed in the housing (100).

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