Electrical connecting element

Abstract

The invention relates to a tubular connecting element (1) for electrically connecting electrical energy storage devices, wherein the connecting element has a connection element (2) at each end for connection to an energy storage device.

Description

[0001] The invention is based on an electrical connecting element according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

[0002] Such connecting elements are particularly required to establish an electrical connection between two energy storage devices, in particular between two batteries or accumulators. State of the art

[0003] DE 10 2011 109 211 A1 discloses a connecting element for electrically connecting two terminal contacts of two electrochemical cells. The connecting element is essentially designed as a flat sheet with punched openings, each of which accommodates a terminal contact of a cell. For this purpose, the cells must be aligned horizontally to each other, which limits the packing density of the system. Task

[0004] The object of the invention is to propose a connecting element which can be used flexibly and at the same time can be produced inexpensively.

[0005] The problem is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims and the following description.

[0007] The connecting element according to the invention is intended for the electrical connection of electrical energy storage devices. This allows multiple energy storage devices to be coupled together.

[0008] The connecting element according to the invention is tubular. Tubular elements, in the sense of the invention, include elongated hollow bodies with a circular, polygonal, or oval cross-section.

[0009] The connecting element has a connection element at each end for connecting to an energy storage device.

[0010] Preferably, the connecting element has an outward-facing bead. This means that the hollow tube is widened at least in some areas in the connecting area. The connecting element can be plugged onto a terminal of an energy storage device.

[0011] Advantageously, a ring coil spring or a contact spring element is arranged within the bead. This allows for reliable electrical contact.

[0012] The tubular connecting element preferably has at least one bend, preferably two bends. This allows the connecting element to be individually adapted to the spatial conditions, in particular to the position between the energy storage devices to be connected. In a particularly preferred variant, the connecting element is bent into a U-shape.

[0013] Advantageously, the connecting element has at least one compensator contour. The compensator contour serves to compensate for any relative movement of the connecting element between the connecting elements. Or, conversely, the connecting areas of the energy storage devices to be connected can move relative to each other.

[0014] Preferably, the compensator contour is formed from at least two outwardly projecting beads arranged side by side. The beads are formed, in particular, by compressing the material in this area.

[0015] Preferably, the connecting element is constructed as a single piece. This means that the connecting element is made from a single section of pipe. Only the aforementioned coil spring or contact spring element must be added as an additional component.

[0016] The connecting element is preferably made of a copper or aluminum alloy. Tube bodies made of these materials are available in large quantities at reasonable prices.

[0017] Preferably, the connecting element is coated on the outside with an electrically insulating material. This provides, in particular, contact protection for the connecting element.

[0018] The connecting element is advantageously coated on the outside with a powder coating or an extruded plastic material. Alternatively, the connecting element can also be encased in heat-shrink tubing. Powder coating or extrusion processes, in particular, offer highly reliable contact protection solutions. The heat-shrink tubing variant is very cost-effective and can be sufficient in many applications.

[0019] The connecting element is preferably made of a commercially available material, in particular a hydraulic line or a metal heating line. Such pipes are typically used to convey fluids.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting element is designed such that cooling fluid is present within the connecting element or can be passed through it. This allows more energy or a greater current to be transmitted via the connecting element.

[0021] Preferably, the connection elements are designed such that, when connected, no coolant can leak out of the connection point. In this case, the connection elements are designed to be fluid-tight. Example

[0022] An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawings and explained in more detail below. They show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a connecting element according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of a first connecting element of a connecting element according to the invention and Fig. 3 a sectional view of an alternative connection element of a connecting element according to the invention.

[0023] Some of the figures contain simplified, schematic representations. Identical reference symbols are used for similar, but possibly not identical, elements. Different views of the same elements may be scaled differently. Directional references such as "left," "right," "top," and "bottom" are to be understood with reference to the respective figure and may vary in the individual illustrations relative to the object depicted.

[0024] The Fig. Figure 1 shows a connecting element 1 according to the invention. In this exemplary embodiment, the connecting element 1 is essentially formed by a tubular body with a circular cross-section. However, other cross-sectional shapes are also conceivable.

[0025] The connecting element 1 has a connection element 2 at each end. The connection elements 2 are each intended to be connected to a connection area, for example a pole, of an energy storage device and ultimately to electrically connect two energy storage devices to one another.

[0026] The connecting element 2 is designed as an outwardly facing bead in which, in a first embodiment, an annular spiral spring 3 is arranged. The annular spiral spring 3 is particularly in Fig. 2. The ring spiral spring 3 ensures a reliable, electrically conductive connection to the connection area of the energy storage device.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment, a contact spring element 4 is arranged in the connection element instead of a spiral spring 3. In this embodiment, the contact spring element 4 also ensures a reliable, electrically conductive connection to the connection area of the energy storage device.

[0028] The connecting element 1 is U-shaped and accordingly has two bends 5.

[0029] In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting element 1 has two compensator contours 6. The compensator contours 6 each consist of individual, adjacent beads 7, which are introduced into the tubular base body by a compression process. This enables a relative movement of the area between the connecting elements and / or a relative movement of the connecting areas of the energy storage devices to be connected.

[0030] Although various aspects or features of the invention are shown in combination in the figures, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art—unless otherwise stated—that the illustrated and discussed combinations are not the only possible ones. In particular, corresponding units or feature complexes from different embodiments can be interchanged. List of reference symbols 1 connecting element 2 connecting element 3 ring spiral spring 4 Contact spring element 5 Bend 6 Compensator contour 7 bulge QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 10 2011 109 211 A1

[0003]

Claims

[1] Tubular connecting element (1) for electrically connecting electrical energy storage devices, wherein the connecting element has a connection element (2) at each end for connection to an energy storage device. [2] Tubular connecting element (1) according to claim 1 characterized by that the connecting element (2) has an outward-facing bead. [3] Tubular connecting element (1) according to the preceding claim characterized by that an annular spiral spring (3) or a contact spring element (4) is arranged within the bead. [4] Tubular connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the tubular connecting element (1) has at least one bend (5), preferably two bends (5). [5] Tubular connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized bythat the connecting element (1) has at least one compensator contour (6) which enables a relative movement of the area between the connecting elements (2) and / or a relative movement of connecting areas of the energy stores to be connected. [6] Tubular connecting element (1) according to the preceding claim characterized by that the compensator contour (6) is formed from at least two beads (7) arranged next to one another and projecting outwards. [7] Tubular connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the connecting element (1) consists of copper, aluminum, a copper alloy or an aluminum alloy. [8] Tubular connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the connecting element (1) is coated on the outside with an electrically insulating material. [9] Tubular connecting element (1) according to the preceding claim characterized bythat the connecting element (1) is coated on the outside with a powder coating, an extruded plastic material or is encased in a shrink tube. [10] Tubular connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the connecting element (1) consists of a commercially available material, in particular a hydraulic line or a metallic heating line. [11] Tubular connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the connecting element (1) is designed to receive or pass through a fluid, in particular a cooling fluid. [12] Tubular connecting element (1) according to one of the preceding claims characterized by that the connecting elements (2) are fluid-tight.

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