High-voltage connectors with tolerance compensation device

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector (1) for at least one electrical high-voltage line (2), in particular a stranded line (2), preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor, with a connector base (10) for a bearing of the high-voltage connector (1), and at least one terminal receptacle (30) mounted on the connector base (10) for at least one electrical high-voltage terminal (12) of the high-voltage connector (1) extending in a vertical direction (Hr) of the high-voltage connector (1), wherein a mechanical joint device (20) is provided between the connector base (10) and the terminal receptacle (30), by means of which the terminal receptacle (30) is movably arranged in the high-voltage connector (1) relative to the connector base (10) for tolerance compensation by the high-voltage connector (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector for at least one electrical high-voltage cable, in particular a stranded cable, preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor. Furthermore, the invention relates to an electromechanical high-voltage connection and an electrical high-voltage device, in particular a prefabricated electrical high-voltage cable, each preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor.

[0002] In the electrical field (electrical engineering, electrical power engineering, etc.), a large number of high-voltage electrical connectors are known. These are used to transmit high-voltage electrical voltages (high voltages: alternating voltages above 24V to over 1kV, direct voltages above 48V to over 1.5kV), high-current electrical currents (high currents above 25A to over 1kA), and / or high-power electrical power (high powers from 20kW to over 350kW). These high-voltage connectors must ensure short-term and / or long-term flawless transmission for the supply and / or distribution of electrical energy in cold, warm, possibly hot, contaminated, humid, and / or chemically aggressive environments.

[0003] Due to a wide range of applications, a large number of such high-voltage connectors are known in the automotive and non-automotive sectors, apart from ground-based power technology and analogues. In the automotive sector, such a high-voltage connector is suitable, for example, for electromechanically connecting a high-voltage cable to a corresponding high-voltage electrical entity or vice versa, for connecting high-voltage electrical cables, or for other electromechanical high-voltage contacting. - In this specification, the term "high-voltage" shall include the terms high voltage, high current, and / or high power (see above).

[0004] High fossil fuel costs and efforts to reduce environmental impacts are making hybrid or electric vehicles necessary, for example, in the automotive sector. One aspect of these vehicles is the handling of high electrical charging and operating voltages, as well as high electrical charging and operating currents, whereby the relevant vehicle components must be designed accordingly. This particularly applies to high-voltage cables (e.g., wires, stranded wires (cables, wiring harnesses), busbars (busbars), busbars, stamped grids, etc.) as well as the corresponding high-voltage terminals (e.g., connectors, flat contacts, busbars, busbars, etc.), and thus also to the high-voltage connectors.

[0005] If a high-voltage connector is located on a high-voltage cable, it is also referred to as a flying high-voltage connector or high-voltage coupling. If a high-voltage connector is located on / in a high-voltage electrical entity (see below), e.g., a section of a housing or another wall, it is also referred to as a high-voltage surface-mounted connector. - In the context of electrical power engineering (generation, conversion, storage, and transport of high-voltage electrical current in electrical networks, preferably with three-phase high-voltage transmission), however, cable accessories are referred to due to their complex structure.

[0006] Solid busbars, often called busbars, are attached to a vehicle body via a high-voltage mating connector, for example, in a wheelhouse. They are designed for electrical contact via a high-voltage connector, which in turn can be firmly screwed to the body after plugging in. These solid busbars are rigid and, unlike flexible stranded wires, cannot move, meaning alignment errors during assembly of the high-voltage mating connector cannot be compensated for.

[0007] Manufacturing tolerances, tolerances due to the fastening of the busbars to the wheel house, and housing tolerances lead to so-called axial deviations in the plug-in direction when plugging in such a connection, which can cause, among other problems: The high-voltage connectors cannot be joined or fully plugged in. The high-voltage connector can be joined and / or plugged in only with difficulty and / or under high mechanical stress, which can lead to damage and malfunctions.

[0008] Efforts are constantly underway to improve high-voltage electrical connectors. Especially for a future generation of electromobility, the establishment of high-voltage electrical connections, e.g., through or with a high-voltage connector, e.g., on a wall or a high-voltage device in a vehicle, should be quick, easy, and safe. - It is an object of the invention to provide a high-voltage connector, preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor.

[0009] The object of the invention is achieved by means of an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector for at least one electrical high-voltage cable, in particular a stranded cable, preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor; as well as by means of an electromechanical high-voltage connection and an electrical high-voltage element, in particular a prefabricated electrical high-voltage cable, each preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor. Advantageous developments, additional features, and / or advantages of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and / or the following description.

[0010] The high-voltage connector according to the invention comprises a connector base for supporting the high-voltage connector, and at least one terminal receptacle mounted on the connector base for at least one electrical high-voltage terminal of the high-voltage connector extending in a vertical direction of the high-voltage connector. A mechanical joint device is arranged or accommodated between the connector base and the terminal receptacle, by means of which the terminal receptacle is arranged in the high-voltage connector so as to be significantly movable relative to the connector base for tolerance compensation by the high-voltage connector. Of course, at least one high-voltage terminal can be arranged in the terminal receptacle, which can be connected to the at least one high-voltage line.

[0011] The invention results in more cost-effective assembly compared to the prior art thanks to a fast assembly process. Assembly errors are minimized or eliminated. Short process times and fewer failures result in significantly higher customer satisfaction.

[0012] Using the connector base, the high-voltage connector can be mounted (attached, mounted, etc.) on a wall (e.g., body wall, wheel house wall, housing wall, etc.), on a section, in a connector receptacle of a high-voltage mating connector, etc. The terminal receptacle can be spaced from the connector base in the mounting direction of the high-voltage connector, i.e., in the plug-in direction of its high-voltage terminals, extend into it, or extend through it. The terminal receptacle is, of course, accessible to the high-voltage mating connector through a through-hole in the connector base.

[0013] The joint device can realize exactly one, at least one or two, particularly conditionally rotational degrees of freedom and / or exactly one, at least one or two, particularly conditionally translational degrees of freedom between the connector base and the terminal receptacle. The axes of the degrees of freedom are, of course, perpendicular to one another.

[0014] A conditional degree of rotational freedom is understood to mean a possible rotational or pivotal ability of the terminal holder relative to the connector base (or vice versa) of, in particular, a minimum or maximum of approximately: ±2°; ±4°; ±6°; ±8°; ±10°; ±12°; ±14°; ±16°, ±18°, ±20° (significant mobility). If the terminal holder has two rotational degrees of freedom relative to the connector base, a center line of a high-voltage terminal can move in the terminal holder within a preferably straight (elliptical or circular) cone, which has the aforementioned angle as the opening angle.

[0015] A conditional translational degree of freedom is understood to mean a possible linear displacement of the terminal holder relative to the connector base (or vice versa) of approximately ±0.5 mm, ±1 mm, ±1.5 mm, ±2 mm, ±2.5 mm, ±3 mm, ±3.5 mm, ±4 mm, ±4.5 mm, ±5 mm, ±5.5 mm, ±6 mm (significant mobility). If the terminal holder has two translational degrees of freedom relative to the connector base, a center line of a high-voltage terminal can move within a rectangle or square in the terminal holder, which has the aforementioned side lengths.

[0016] A rotational degree of freedom of the terminal holder can be realized around an axis of the high-voltage connector, and a corresponding translational degree of freedom of the terminal holder can be realized along this axis by a single bearing in the joint device. - A bearing can in principle comprise two bearing devices. Such a bearing device can be realized as a journal bearing device, i.e., a journal received in a bushing, whereby the journal can rotate or pivot relative to the bushing and / or the bushing can rotate or pivot relative to the journal and can be displaced linearly.

[0017] The joint device can be designed as a cardanic bearing, by means of which the terminal receptacle is mounted on the connector base. The cardanic bearing is preferably designed such that the terminal receptacle has at least one or two conditional translational degrees of freedom. This means that the terminal receptacle is mounted (hooked in, suspended, etc.) on the connector base via a component of the high-voltage connector using two pivot bearings, with the axes of the two pivot bearings intersecting substantially at right angles. In this case, a corresponding conditional translational degree of freedom of the terminal receptacle can be realized by means of axial play, i.e., an application-dependent freedom of movement, of a respective pivot bearing in the direction of its axis.

[0018] To realize a rotational degree of freedom of the terminal holder, the joint device can have a pivot bearing for each rotational degree of freedom. Preferably, two pivot bearing devices opposite each other with respect to the terminal holder are configured as pivot bearings in the joint device for each rotational degree of freedom. The pivot bearing can, of course, also be designed as a pivot bearing.

[0019] A pivot bearing or a pivot bearing device can be implemented by means of a bearing journal rotatably received in a bearing bush, or vice versa. In particular, a pivot bearing can be implemented by means of two bearing journals rotatably received in two bearing bushes, wherein the bearing bushes and the bearing journals are naturally arranged coaxially. Furthermore, a pivot bearing or a pivot bearing device can be implemented, for example, by means of a (partial) circumferential guide. This means, for example, that a (partial) circumferential projection is guided in a (partial) circumferential groove or a (partially) circular recess (bore). Other pivot bearings can of course be used. Two differently designed pivot bearing devices can of course be used for a pivot bearing.

[0020] To realize a translational degree of freedom of the terminal receptacle, the joint device can have a thrust bearing for each translational degree of freedom. Preferably, two thrust bearing devices opposite one another with respect to the terminal receptacle are configured as thrust bearings in the joint device for each translational degree of freedom. A thrust bearing or a thrust bearing device can be realized by means of a bearing journal received in a bearing bush for linear displacement, or vice versa. In particular, a thrust bearing can be realized by means of two bearing journals received in two bearing bushes for linear displacement, wherein the bearing bushes and the bearing journals are preferably arranged coaxially, but can also be arranged eccentrically. Another thrust bearing or thrust bearing device, such as a guide, a linear bearing, etc., is of course applicable.

[0021] In the joint device, a thrust bearing of the terminal receptacle can be realized by means of an axial movement space of a rotary bearing of the terminal receptacle. - Furthermore, the high-voltage connector can have at least one reset device for at least one of the bearings of the terminal receptacle, wherein the reset device is designed such that it has the tendency to move the terminal receptacle directly and / or indirectly to a previous position on / in the high-voltage connector.

[0022] Of course, the high-voltage connector can have at least one, two, three, or four such reset devices. A reset device is preferably designed as a spring element, an elastic element, etc., which directly and / or indirectly pushes the terminal receptacle toward its initial position. The initial position is preferably a position centered on / in the connector base.

[0023] In one embodiment, a frame can be accommodated in / on the connector base so as to be rotatable about and / or displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the high-voltage connector (cf. Fig. 5 and Fig. 7). In this case, a rotational axis (e.g., parallel to a longitudinal axis of the high-voltage connector) of the frame itself is substantially perpendicular to a (rotational) axis (e.g., parallel to a transverse / vertical axis of the high-voltage connector) of the terminal receptacle. A mounting of the frame in / on the connector base can comprise two bearing devices, between which the actual frame in the high-voltage connector is arranged. A first mounting of the joint device can be designed as at least one journal bearing device between the frame and the connector base. The mounting or journal bearing enables a single, conditionally rotational and / or a single, conditionally translational degree of freedom of the frame in / on the connector base.

[0024] In one embodiment, the terminal receptacle can be accommodated in / on a frame so as to be rotatable around and / or displaceable in a transverse direction of the high-voltage connector (cf. e.g. Fig. 6 and Fig. 9). In this case, an axis of rotation (e.g. parallel to a transverse axis of the high-voltage connector) of the terminal receptacle itself is substantially perpendicular to a (rotational) axis (e.g. parallel to a longitudinal axis / vertical axis of the high-voltage connector) of the frame. A bearing of the terminal receptacle in / on the frame can comprise two bearing devices, between which the terminal receptacle is arranged in the high-voltage connector. A second bearing of the joint device can be designed as at least one journal bearing device of the terminal receptacle and the frame. The bearing or the journal bearing enables a single conditionally rotational and / or a single conditionally translational degree of freedom of the terminal receptacle in / on the frame.

[0025] The frame can be frame-shaped, ring-shaped, open or closed around a perimeter, cage-shaped, U-shaped, V-shaped, etc. In principle, the frame can have any shape, as long as it allows a desired number of rotational and / or translational degrees of freedom to be realized within the high-voltage connector.

[0026] By means of an axial movement space between the frame and the connector base, a translational displacement of the frame in the longitudinal direction of the high-voltage connector in / on the connector base can be provided (cf. again e.g. Fig. 7). The frame can further be spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element in / on the connector base, wherein the spring element is preferably cut out of a respective wall. In such a case, the axial freedom of movement can preferably only be used against a force from a spring element. Furthermore, the spring element serves to return the frame to a relative rest position in / on the connector base or to return it as far as possible toward its rest position, e.g., after mounting the high-voltage connector on a high-voltage mating connector.

[0027] The axial movement between the frame and the connector base can be limited longitudinally by means of a material overlap between the terminal holder and the frame. If the connector base has a mounting fixture for supporting the frame (see below), the material overlap is naturally achieved using such a fixture.

[0028] By means of an axial movement space between the terminal holder and the frame, a translational displacement of the terminal holder in the transverse direction of the high-voltage connector in / on the frame can be provided (cf. again e.g. Fig. 9). The terminal receptacle can further be spring-loaded by means of at least one spring element in / on the frame, wherein the spring element is preferably cut out of a respective wall. In such a case, the axial freedom of movement can preferably only be used against a force from a spring element. Furthermore, the spring element serves to return the terminal receptacle to a relative rest position in / on the frame or to return it as far as possible toward its rest position, e.g., after mounting the high-voltage connector on a high-voltage mating connector.

[0029] The axial movement clearance between the terminal holder and the frame can be limited longitudinally by means of a material overlap between the terminal holder and the frame. If the frame has a bearing insert for supporting the terminal holder (see below), the material overlap can of course be achieved with such a bearing insert or even with the frame itself.

[0030] The (first) mounting of the frame in / on the connector base can be arranged between a mounting device of the connector base and a bearing cover. The bearing cover can be latched, clipped, glued, etc. to the mounting device, wherein plug-in and / or sliding mounting of the bearing cover on / on the mounting device is possible. The (second) mounting of the terminal receptacle in / on the frame can be arranged by means of a bearing insert in a wall of the frame. The bearing insert can be latched, clipped, glued, etc. to the wall of the frame, wherein plug-in and / or sliding mounting of the bearing insert in the wall of the frame is possible. - One wall of the bearing cover can extend essentially in the transverse direction and one wall of the bearing insert can extend essentially in the longitudinal direction.

[0031] The first and / or the second pivot bearing can have a return device which mechanically preloads the frame and / or the terminal receptacle in the direction of a respective relative starting position. In this case, the return device of the first pivot bearing can be designed as a spring element, in particular a leaf spring, of the bearing cover, which preloads the frame in its starting position on / in the connector base and has the tendency to move the frame directly into its starting position on / in the connector base. And the return device of the second pivot bearing can be designed as a spring element, in particular a spring arm, of the terminal receptacle, which preloads the terminal receptacle in its starting position on / in the frame and has the tendency to move the terminal receptacle directly into its starting position on / in the frame.

[0032] The first and / or the second thrust bearing can have a return device which mechanically and translationally preloads the frame and / or the terminal receptacle towards a respective relative starting position. In this case, the return device of the first thrust bearing can be designed as a spring element, in particular a leaf spring, of the mounting device, which preloads the frame in its starting position on / in the connector base and has the tendency to move the frame directly into its starting position on / in the connector base. And the return device of the second thrust bearing can be designed as a spring element, in particular a spring arm, of the frame or the bearing insert, which preloads the terminal receptacle in its starting position on / in the frame and has the tendency to move the terminal receptacle directly into its starting position on / in the frame.

[0033] The connector base can be cage-shaped, plug-shaped, or plate-shaped. Furthermore, the connector base can have a seal opposite the joint device. This seal can be installed in the particularly plate-shaped connector base in a radially outwardly circumferential groove, e.g., as a profile seal, an O-ring, etc. Furthermore, a seal can be installed between the connector base and the terminal receptacle. This seal, which is preferably based on the shape of a truncated cone surface, can be designed, in particular, as a bellows, etc. Furthermore, the mounting device of the connector base can be web-shaped or base-shaped. Furthermore, the mounting device and / or the bearing insert can be designed as a plug-in and / or sliding mounting element.

[0034] A single joint device of the high-voltage connector can accommodate exactly one or at least one terminal receptacle. Furthermore, the high-voltage connector can comprise exactly one, at least one, exactly two, or at least two joint devices. Furthermore, a single joint device can be provided on / in the connector base for each individual terminal receptacle.

[0035] The high-voltage connection according to the invention, preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor, comprises an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector as well as an electrical high-voltage mating connector, wherein the high-voltage connector is designed according to the invention. The high-voltage connector and the high-voltage mating connector can be plugged together and, if necessary, screwed together, or even unplugged.

[0036] In this case, the high-voltage connector can be electromechanically connected to at least one high-voltage electrical line, in particular a stranded wire. Furthermore, the high-voltage mating connector can be electromechanically connected to at least one high-voltage electrical line, in particular a busbar. Furthermore, the high-voltage line can be electromechanically connected to a high-voltage electrical source apart from its connector.

[0037] The high-voltage device according to the invention, in particular the prefabricated high-voltage cable according to the invention, comprises an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector, wherein an electrical high-voltage terminal is arranged in at least one terminal receptacle of the high-voltage connector, and the high-voltage connector is designed according to the invention. The high-voltage device can in particular comprise a power electrical device or a wall, e.g., of the power electrical device, to which the high-voltage connector is attached. Furthermore, the prefabricated electrical high-voltage cable can comprise a high-voltage cable (see above) that is electrically connected to the high-voltage connector.

[0038] Such a high-voltage entity can be designed, for example, as an electrical high-voltage component (e.g. electric motor), an electrical high-voltage module (e.g. accumulator module, traction battery module), an electrical high-voltage element (e.g. accumulator, traction battery), an electrical high-voltage device (e.g. inverter, control cabinet), an electrical high-voltage apparatus (e.g. charging station), an electrical high-voltage unit (e.g. electric traction motor), an electrical high-voltage system (e.g. switchgear), etc.

[0039] A vehicle—in particular a motor vehicle (road vehicle, commercial vehicle, etc.), but also a rail vehicle, watercraft, and / or aircraft—with an electric traction motor is understood to be a motor vehicle that, in addition to an electric traction motor, may have another non-electric drive, such as an internal combustion engine. This means that a vehicle with an electric traction motor can be understood, for example, as an electric vehicle (only electric motor drive), a hybrid electric vehicle, a fuel cell vehicle, etc.

[0040] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached schematic and not-to-scale drawing. Sections, elements, parts, units, components and / or schemes which have an identical, unique or analogous design and / or function are identified by the same reference numerals in the description of the figures (see below), the list of reference numerals, the patent claims and in the figures (Fig.) of the drawing. A possible alternative not explained in the description of the invention (see above), not shown in the drawing and / or not exhaustive, a static and / or kinematic reversal, a combination, etc. to the exemplary embodiments of the invention or of a component, scheme, unit, part, element or section thereof, can also be found in the list of reference numerals and / or the description of the figures.

[0041] In the invention, a feature (section, element, part, unit, component, function, size, etc.) can be configured positively, i.e., present, or negatively, i.e., absent. In this specification (description (description of the invention (see above), description of the figures (see below)), list of reference symbols, claims, drawing), a negative feature is not explicitly explained as a feature unless it is important for the invention to be absent. This means that the invention actually made, and not one constructed by the prior art, consists in omitting this feature.

[0042] A feature of this specification may be applied not only in a specified manner and / or form, but also in another manner and / or form (isolation, combination, replacement, addition, uniqueness, omission, etc.). In particular, it is possible to replace, add, or omit a feature in the patent claims and / or description based on a reference symbol and a feature assigned to it, or vice versa, in the description, the list of reference symbols, the patent claims, and / or the drawing. Furthermore, this may allow a feature in a patent claim to be interpreted and / or further specified.

[0043] The features of the description can also be interpreted as optional features (in view of the (initially usually unknown) prior art); i.e., each feature can be understood as an optional, arbitrary, or preferred, i.e., non-binding, feature. This makes it possible to isolate a feature, possibly including its periphery, from an embodiment, whereby this feature can then be transferred to a generalized inventive concept. The absence of a feature (negative feature) in an embodiment shows that the feature may be optional with regard to the invention (to a person skilled in the art). Furthermore, a species term for a feature can also be interpreted as a generic term for the feature (possibly a further hierarchical breakdown into subgenres, etc.), whereby a generalization of the feature is possible, e.g., taking into account equal effect and / or equivalence.

[0044] The purely exemplary and schematic figures in the drawing show: the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shows in perspective views an exemplary installation situation for a high-voltage connector according to the invention opposite a high-voltage counter-connector on a wall of a wheel house of a vehicle, the Fig. 3 shows a sectioned perspective view of a problem situation when assembling the electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector on the electrical high-voltage counter-connector, the Fig. 4 in a three-dimensional detailed view of a mechanically articulated suspension or suspension of one of at least one, in particular two terminal receptacles in the high-voltage connector, the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 in sectioned three-dimensional detail views a first ( Fig. 5) and a second ( Fig. 6) Pivoting bearing of a cardanic bearing of the terminal holder in the high-voltage connector, the Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 in a cut two-dimensional ( Fig. 7) and a cut three-dimensional ( Fig. 8) Detailed view of a first thrust bearing of the terminal holder in the high-voltage connector, as well as the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 in a cut two-dimensional ( Fig. 9) and a three-dimensional ( Fig. 10) Detailed view of a second thrust bearing of the terminal holder in the high-voltage connector.

[0045] The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments of an embodiment of an electrical high-voltage connector 1, in particular a high-voltage plug connector 1, for a wall 0 of a wheel house of a vehicle. Naturally, the invention is also applicable to other electrical high-voltage connectors 1. The high-voltage connector 1 can be designed, for example, as a surface-mounted connector, a built-in connector, an interface, a plug, a socket, a coupling, a socket, a floating connector, etc.

[0046] Although the invention is described and illustrated in more detail by preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed embodiments, but is of a more fundamental nature. Other variations can be derived from this and / or from the above (description of the invention) without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is generally applicable in the electrical field, i.e., also in the non-automotive field, for an electrical entity or high-voltage entity (see above). An exception is ground-based electrical power engineering and analogues thereof.

[0047] The drawing only shows those spatial sections of an object of the invention which are necessary for an understanding of the invention. Terms such as connector and mating connector, terminal and mating terminal etc. are to be interpreted synonymously, i.e. they can be interchanged where necessary. - The explanation of the invention (cf. also above) with reference to the drawing refers below to, among other things, a (bidirectional) longitudinal axis / direction Lr, a (bidirectional) vertical axis / direction Hr (also referred to as terminal longitudinal direction Hr) and a (bidirectional) transverse axis / direction Qr of the high-voltage connector 1. A monodirectional mounting direction Mr of the high-voltage connector 1 is the plug-in direction of the high-voltage terminal 32 (high-voltage connector 1) onto a high-voltage mating terminal (high-voltage mating connector 5) parallel to the vertical axis Hr.

[0048] The Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 show an installation situation for an embodiment of an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector 1 according to the invention on a wall 0 of a wheel house. Within a recess in the wall 0, an electrical high-voltage counter-connector 5 connected to electrical busbars 6 is arranged, which is to be electrically contacted by the high-voltage connector 1 according to the invention ( Fig. 1) or is ( Fig. 2). The high-voltage connector 1 in this case has two high-voltage terminals 32 extending in the vertical direction Hr, which are connected to electrical high-voltage cables 2 designed as license cables 2 (prefabricated electrical high-voltage cable 1 / 2). In this case, the high-voltage connector 1 has two high-voltage terminals 32, but can also have a single or more than two high-voltage terminals 32.

[0049] As explained at the beginning, due to tolerances, there is the problem of the so-called axial deviations between the high-voltage terminals 32 and the high-voltage counter-terminals when mounting the high-voltage connector 1 on the high-voltage counter-connector 5, which in the Fig. 3. The axial directions (vertical direction Hr) of related terminals cannot be arranged coaxially or parallel to each other during assembly, but can exhibit an angular offset and an axial offset in two directions. This problem is effectively counteracted by a mechanical joint device 20 in the high-voltage connector 1.

[0050] A mechanical high-voltage connector housing 10, 20, 30, see first the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, for the high-voltage connector 1 comprises a connector base 10 for mounting the high-voltage connector 1, and at least one terminal receptacle 30, which can be mounted or is mounted on the connector base 10, for at least one high-voltage terminal 32 of the high-voltage connector 1. Between the connector base 10 and the terminal receptacle 30, the joint device 20 of the high-voltage connector housing 10, 20, 30, which is designed as a tolerance compensation device 20, can be set up or is set up, by means of which the terminal receptacle 30 and thus also a high-voltage terminal 32 set up in the high-voltage connector housing 10, 20, 30 is set up in an articulated manner in the high-voltage connector 1 relative to the connector base 10.

[0051] The joint device 20 comprises, see the arrows in the Fig. 4, a first pivot bearing 21 (also referred to as a swivel bearing 21), a second pivot bearing 22 (also referred to as a swivel bearing 22), a first thrust bearing 25 and a second thrust bearing 26 between the connector base 10 and the terminal receptacle 30. In particular, a pivot bearing 21, 22 can additionally be designed as a thrust bearing 25, 26 or vice versa; i.e., for example, that a significant axial play of the pivot bearing 21, 22 realizes the thrust bearing 25, 26. - It is of course possible to install not all four bearings 21, 22; 25, 26, but only one, two or three of them. In such cases, it is preferable to install a pivot bearing 21, 22 rather than a thrust bearing 25, 26.

[0052] A single pivot bearing 21, 22 realizes a single rotational degree of freedom and a single thrust bearing 25, 26 realizes a single translational degree of freedom of the terminal holder 30 relative to the connector base 10. - For the terminal holder 30, the pivot bearing 21 (via a frame 200, see below) realizes a conditional rotational degree of freedom about the longitudinal axis Lr and the pivot bearing 22 realizes a conditional rotational degree of freedom about the transverse axis Qr. Furthermore, the thrust bearing 25 (via the frame 200) realizes a conditional translational degree of freedom along the longitudinal axis Lr and the thrust bearing 26 realizes a conditional translational degree of freedom along the transverse axis Qr for the terminal holder 30.

[0053] In the present case - see also the Fig. 5 to 10 - the joint device 20 implements a cardanic mounting of the terminal receptacle 30 relative to the connector base 10 with two rotational degrees of freedom. Furthermore, none, one, or both of the thrust bearings 25, 26 can be implemented by means of the cardanic mounting or the joint device 20. - For this purpose, the joint device 20 comprises a frame-shaped support 200 that is articulated relative to the connector base 10 and in which the terminal receptacle 30 is articulated.

[0054] Here, the first pivot bearing 21 (cf. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5) and the first thrust bearing 25 (cf. Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) of the joint device 20 is arranged between the connector base 10 and the frame 200. Furthermore, the second pivot bearing 22 (cf. Fig. 4 and Fig. 6) and the second thrust bearing 26 (cf. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10) of the joint device 20 is arranged between the frame 200 and the terminal receptacle 30. Here, a pivot bearing 21, 22 and a corresponding thrust bearing 22, 26 are realized as a single (pivot and thrust) bearing 21 / 25, 22 / 26, in particular as a journal bearing 21 / 25, 22 / 26 with axial mobility of a respective bearing journal 220, 340 in a respective bearing shell 102 / 112, 244.

[0055] The following statements refer to a rest position of the terminal holder 30 in the high-voltage connector 1, as shown in the drawing. The frame 200 is, of course, also in its rest position. The respective relative position of the terminal holder 30 or the frame 200 results from how far the respective rotary and sliding bearings 21 / 25, 22 / 26 had to move from their rest position due to the assembly of the high-voltage connector 1 on the high-voltage mating connector 5. The angle of rotation of a rotary bearing 21, 22 or the displacement distances of a sliding bearing 25, 26 are mentioned above as examples.

[0056] The second rotary and thrust bearing 22 / 26 (cf. Fig. 4, Fig. 6, Fig. 9 and Fig. 10) is arranged between a bearing pin 340 projecting laterally from the terminal receptacle 30 and a bearing shell 244 of a bearing bush in a side wall of the frame 200. This can, of course, be kinematically reversed. Preferably, two such bearing pins 340 and bearing shells 244 are used. The second rotary and thrust bearing 22 / 26 enables the rotational degree of freedom around and the translational degree of freedom in the transverse direction Qr of the high-voltage connector 1.

[0057] The bearing pin 340 is preferably received in a bearing insert 240 in a wall of the frame 200. The bearing insert 240 can be inserted or pushed into a recess in the wall of the frame 200 and can be locked, clipped, glued, etc., to this recess. The bearing insert 240 is in particular disc- or plate-shaped and can, for example, have the thickness of the wall of the frame 200.

[0058] The thrust bearing 26 in the rotary and thrust bearing 22 / 26 is by means of an axial movement space d 26 the terminal holder 30 in the frame 200 or between the bearing inserts 240 (cf. Fig. 9). This means that the terminal holder 30 is mounted in the frame 200 so that it can move back and forth to a certain extent, for which the bearing pins 340 must, of course, be long enough. In this case, the terminal holder 30 can be mechanically preloaded translationally into its relative rest position in the frame 200.

[0059] This is achieved by means of at least one return device 246, e.g., configured as a spring element 246 or an elastic element 246, which preloads the terminal receptacle 30 into its relative rest position in the frame 200. In the present case, a single return device 246 is configured as a spring arm 246, with two essentially parallel spring arms 246 being used on each bearing side. Preferably, two spring arms 246 are arranged adjacent to a bearing shell 244 in the frame 200 or a bearing insert 240 and are cut out, e.g., from a respective wall.

[0060] Furthermore, the rotary bearing 22 of the second rotary and thrust bearing 22 / 26 (cf. Fig. 7) be mechanically preloaded rotationally into its relative rest position in the frame 200 and / or be rotationally locked there. For this purpose, the terminal receptacle 30 has a return device 318, e.g., designed as a spring element 318 or an elastic element 318, which preloads the terminal receptacle 30 into its relative rest position in the frame 200 and / or locks it there.

[0061] In the present case, a single return device 318 is designed as a spring arm 318, wherein two essentially parallel spring arms 318 can be used on each bearing side. The respective spring arm 318 can engage in a recess in the frame 200 and thus mechanically preload or lock the terminal receptacle 30 relative to the frame 200. If the terminal receptacle 30 rotates about its longitudinal direction Lr, this locking connection can be disengaged.

[0062] The first rotary and thrust bearing 21 / 25 (cf. Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 8) is arranged between a bearing pin 220 projecting laterally from the frame 200 and a bearing shell 102 / 112 of a bearing bush in a mounting device 100 including a bearing cover 100 (see below) of the connector base 10. This can, of course, be kinematically reversed. Preferably, two such bearing pins 220 and bearing shells 102 / 112 are used. The first rotary and thrust bearing 21 / 25 enables the rotational degree of freedom around and the translational degree of freedom in the longitudinal direction Lr of the high-voltage connector 1.

[0063] The mounting device 100 of the connector base 10 can be web-shaped or base-shaped and can have a bearing half-shell 102 for the first rotary and thrust bearing 21 / 25 therein. Opposite, the bearing half-shell 102 is closed by a bearing cover 112 with a bearing half-shell 112, whereby the two bearing half-shells 102, 112 form the bearing bush of the connector base 10. The bearing cover 112 can be inserted or pushed onto / into / into the mounting device 100 and can be latched, clipped, glued, etc., to it.

[0064] The thrust bearing 25 in the rotary and thrust bearing 21 / 25 is by means of an axial movement space d 25 of the frame 200 30 on the connector base 10 or between the two mounting devices 100 and bearing covers 110 (cf. Fig. 7). This means that the frame 200 is mounted on the connector base 10 so that it can move back and forth to a certain extent, for which the bearing pins 220 must, of course, be long enough. In this case, the frame 200 can be mechanically preloaded translationally into its relative rest position on the connector base 10.

[0065] This is achieved by means of at least one return device 105, e.g., configured as a spring element 105 or an elastic element 105, which preloads the frame 200 into its relative rest position on the connector base 10. In the present case, a single return device 105 is configured as a spring arm 105, with two essentially parallel spring arms 105 being used on each bearing side. Preferably, one spring arm 105 is arranged adjacent to a bearing shell 102 / 112 in a mounting device 100 and / or the bearing cover 110 and, e.g., cut out of a respective wall.

[0066] Furthermore, the rotary bearing 21 of the first rotary and thrust bearing 21 / 25 (cf. Fig. 8) can be mechanically preloaded rotationally into their relative rest position on the connector base 10. For this purpose, the bearing cover 110 has a return device 118, e.g., designed as a spring element 118 or an elastic element 118, which preloads the frame 200 into its relative rest position on the connector base 10. In the present case, a single return device 118 is designed as a leaf spring 118, wherein two essentially parallel leaf springs 118 can be used on each bearing side. The respective leaf spring 118 rests against an upper side of the frame 200 in the vertical direction Hr. List of reference symbols 0 wall 1 (electrical and mechanical) high-voltage connector 2 (electrical) high-voltage cable, e.g. stranded cable 5 (electrical) high-voltage counter connector 6 (electrical) high-voltage cable, e.g. busbar 10 connector base 20 (mechanical) joint device, in particular cardanic bearings 21, 22 plus thrust bearings 25, 26 21 (first) rotary bearing, swivel bearing 22 (second) pivot bearing, swivel bearing 25 (first) thrust bearing 26 (second) thrust bearing 30 Terminal recording 32 high-voltage terminal 40 Seal, e.g. profile seal, O-ring, etc. 50 Seal, e.g. bellows etc. 100 mounting device 102 Bearing shell, bearing half-shell for first pivot bearing 21 and first thrust bearing 25 105 Return device, e.g. spring / elastic element, leaf spring 110 bearing cap 112 Bearing half-shell for first pivot bearing 21 and first thrust bearing 25 118 Return device, e.g. spring / elastic element, leaf spring 130 Through-hole for terminal holder 30 200 frame 220 Bearing journal for first pivot bearing 21 and first thrust bearing 25 240 bearing insert 244 Bearing shell for second pivot bearing 22 and second thrust bearing 26 246 Reset device, e.g. spring / elastic element, spring arm 318 Reset device, e.g. spring / elastic element, spring arm 340 Bearing journal for second pivot bearing 22 and second thrust bearing 26 d axial freedom of movement Lr Longitudinal axis / direction (bidirectional) Hr vertical axis / direction (bidirectional), terminal longitudinal direction Mr Mounting direction (monodirectional), Plugging direction Qr transverse axis / direction (bidirectional)

Claims

[1] Electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector (1) for at least one electrical high-voltage cable (2), in particular a stranded cable (2), preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor, with a connector base (10) for supporting the high-voltage connector (1), and at least one terminal receptacle (30) mounted on the connector base (10) for at least one electrical high-voltage terminal (12) of the high-voltage connector (1) extending in a vertical direction (Hr) of the high-voltage connector (1), characterized by , that a mechanical joint device (20) is accommodated between the connector base (10) and the terminal receptacle (30), by means of which the terminal receptacle (30) is arranged to be movable in the high-voltage connector (1) relative to the connector base (10) for tolerance compensation by the high-voltage connector (1). [2] High-voltage connector (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that: • the joint device (20) realizes exactly one, at least one or two conditionally rotational degrees of freedom (Lr, Qr) and / or exactly one, at least one or two conditionally translational degrees of freedom (Lr, Qr) between the connector base (10) and the terminal receptacle (30), • a rotational degree of freedom of the terminal holder (30) about an axis (Lr, Qr) of the high-voltage connector (1) and a corresponding translational degree of freedom of the terminal holder (30) along this axis (Lr, Qr) are realized by a single bearing (21 / 25, 22 / 26) in the joint device (20), and / or • the joint device (20) is designed as a cardanic bearing, by means of which the terminal receptacle (30) is mounted on the connector base (10), wherein the cardanic bearing is preferably designed such that the terminal receptacle (30) has at least one or two conditionally translational degrees of freedom (Lr, Qr). [3] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that: • the joint device (20) has a rotary bearing (21, 22) for each rotary degree of freedom for realising a rotational degree of freedom of the terminal holder (30), • the joint device (20) has a thrust bearing (25, 26) for each translational degree of freedom of the terminal holder (30), and / or • in the joint device (20) a thrust bearing (25, 26) of the terminal receptacle (30) is realized by means of an axial (Lr, Qr) movement space (d) of a rotary bearing (21, 22) of the terminal receptacle (30). [4] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the high-voltage connector (1) has at least one reset device (105, 118, 246, 318) for at least one of the bearings (21, 22, 25, 26) of the terminal receptacle (30), wherein the reset device (105, 118, 246, 318) is designed such that it has the tendency to move the terminal receptacle (30) indirectly (105, 118) and / or directly (246, 318) into a previous position on / in the high-voltage connector (1). [5] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that: • a frame (200) is accommodated in / on the connector base (10) so as to be rotatable about and / or displaceable in a longitudinal direction (Lr) of the high-voltage connector (1), • a bearing (22 / 26) of the frame (30) in / on the connector base (10) comprises two bearing devices, between which the actual frame (30) is arranged in the high-voltage connector (1), and / or • a first bearing (21 / 25) of the joint device (20) is designed as at least one journal bearing device between the frame (30) and the connector base (10). [6] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that: • the terminal holder (30) is rotatably mounted in / on the frame (200) around and / or displaceably in a transverse direction (Qr) of the high-voltage connector (1), • a bearing (22 / 26) of the terminal holder (30) in / on the frame (200) comprises two bearing devices, between which the terminal holder (30) is arranged in the high-voltage connector (1), and / or • a second bearing (22 / 26) of the joint device (20) is designed as at least one journal bearing device between the terminal holder (30) and the frame (200). [7] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that: • by means of an axial (Lr) movement space (d25 ) between the frame (200) and the connector base (10), a translational displaceability of the frame (200) in the longitudinal direction (Lr) of the high-voltage connector (1) in / on the connector base (10) is provided, • the frame (200) is spring-mounted by means of at least one spring element (105) in / on the connector base (10), wherein the spring element (105) is preferably cut out of a respective wall (100), and / or • the axial (Lr) range of motion (d 25 ) between the frame (200) and the connector base (10) is restricted in the longitudinal direction (Hr) by means of a material overlap of the terminal receptacle (30) and the frame (200). [8] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that: • by means of an axial (Qr) movement space (d 26) between the terminal holder (30) and the frame (200), a translational displaceability of the terminal holder (30) in the transverse direction (Qr) of the high-voltage connector (1) in / on the frame (200) is provided, • the terminal receptacle (30) is arranged to be cushioned by means of at least one spring element (246) in / on the frame (200), wherein the spring element (246) is preferably cut out of a respective wall (240), and / or • the axial (Qr) range of motion (d 26 ) between the terminal holder (30) and the frame (200) is restricted in the longitudinal direction (Lr) by means of a material overlap of the terminal holder (30) and the frame (200). [9] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that: • the bearing (21 / 25) of the frame (30) is arranged in / on the connector base (10) between a mounting device (100) of the connector base (10) and a bearing cover (110), • the bearing (22 / 26) of the terminal holder (30) in / on the frame (200) is arranged by means of a bearing insert (200) in a wall of the frame (200), and / or • a wall of the bearing cover (110) extends substantially in the transverse direction (Qr) and a wall of the bearing insert (200) extends substantially in the longitudinal direction (Lr). [10] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first and / or the second pivot bearing (21, 22) has a return device (118, 318) which mechanically preloads the frame (200) and / or the terminal receptacle (30) in a rotational manner in the direction of a respective relative starting position, and / or the first and / or the second thrust bearing (25, 26) has a return device (105, 246) which mechanically prestresses the frame (200) and / or the terminal receptacle (30) in the direction of a respective relative starting position, [11] High-voltage connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that: • in a single joint device (20) of the high-voltage connector (1) exactly or at least one terminal receptacle (30) is accommodated, • the high-voltage connector (1) comprises exactly one, at least one, exactly two or at least two joint devices (20), and / or • for each individual terminal receptacle (30) a single joint device (20) is provided on / in the connector base (10). [12] Electromechanical high-voltage connection (1) preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor, with an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector (1) and an electrical high-voltage counter-connector (5), characterized by , that the high-voltage connector (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims. [13] High-voltage connection (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that: • the high-voltage connector (1) is electromechanically connected to at least one electrical high-voltage cable (2), in particular a stranded cable (2), • the high-voltage counter-connector (5) is electromechanically connected to at least one electrical high-voltage line (6), in particular a busbar (6), and / or • the high-voltage cable (2, 6) is electromechanically connected to a high-voltage electrical source away from its connector (1, 5). [14] Electrical high-voltage, in particular prefabricated electrical high-voltage cable (1 / 2), preferably for a vehicle with an electric traction motor, with an electrical and mechanical high-voltage connector (1), wherein an electrical high-voltage terminal (32) is arranged in at least one terminal receptacle (30) of the high-voltage connector (1), characterized by , that the high-voltage connector (1) is designed according to one of the preceding claims.

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