Connection unit and drive system

Abstract

A connection unit according to the invention for a drive system comprises a cuboid-shaped housing in which a positive conductor, having a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal, a negative conductor, having a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal, and an earth conductor, having an earth input terminal and an earth output terminal, are arranged; an outer insulating body for receiving a positive busbar and a negative busbar; and a mounting plate for attaching the housing to a mounting plate in a control cabinet. The outer insulating body is arranged on a front wall of the housing, and the mounting plate is arranged on a rear wall of the housing opposite the front wall.A drive system according to the invention comprises an electrical intermediate circuit to which a DC voltage is applied, at least one axis module which generates an AC voltage for an electric motor from the DC voltage of the intermediate circuit, and at least one connection unit according to the invention. The positive input terminal and the negative input terminal of the connection unit are connected to the intermediate circuit. The intermediate circuits of several rows of the drive system according to the invention in a control cabinet are electrically interconnectable.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connection unit for a drive system, which comprises a positive conductor having a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal, a negative conductor having a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal, and an earth conductor having an earth input terminal and an earth output terminal.

[0002] Drive systems for electric motors are known from use, comprising a supply module and an axis module. The supply module generates a direct current and feeds the direct current into an intermediate circuit. The axis module includes a converter and generates an alternating current for the electric motor from the direct current of the intermediate circuit.

[0003] DE 10 2016 012 093 A1 discloses an electrical device system comprising a supply module and several axis modules. The axis modules each have an inverter that is powered from the intermediate circuit and converts the supplied DC voltage into a three-phase AC voltage. The electrical device system also has two connection units.

[0004] DE 10 2016 004 884 B4 discloses a drive system with a DC link busbar. The drive system comprises a power supply module and several axis modules. The axis modules can be powered from the power supply module via the DC link busbar.

[0005] DE 10 2019 007 400 A1 discloses a drive system comprising modules. Each module has a connector, with the respective connectors being electrically connected via a respective busbar.

[0006] DE 10 2020 001 036 A1 discloses a drive system with a module designed as a supply module or axle module. The module has an insulating part with a recess in which a busbar is accommodated.

[0007] The supply module and the axis modules are typically arranged side by side in a row in a control cabinet and electrically connected to each other and to the DC link via busbars. In large drive systems with a relatively large number of axis modules, these are arranged in several rows, especially two, in the control cabinet. The DC links of the individual rows are electrically connected to each other via connection units.

[0008] The invention is based on the object of developing a connection unit for a drive system and a drive system.

[0009] This object is achieved by a connection unit for a drive system having the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims. This object is achieved by a drive system having the features specified in claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the subclaims.

[0010] A connection unit according to the invention for a drive system comprises a cuboid-shaped housing in which a positive conductor having a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal, a negative conductor having a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal, and a ground conductor having a ground input terminal and a ground output terminal are arranged, an outer insulating body for receiving a positive busbar and a negative busbar, and a mounting plate for fastening the housing to a mounting plate in a control cabinet. The outer insulating body is arranged on a front wall of the housing, and the mounting plate is arranged on a rear wall of the housing opposite the front wall.

[0011] The intermediate circuits of several, in particular two, rows of a drive system in a control cabinet can be electrically connected to one another using a connection unit according to the invention. The connection unit can be arranged either on the right or left side next to a supply module or an axis module or another peripheral device, such as a filter module, a capacitor module, or a master module. The mounting plate allows for robust attachment of the connection unit to a mounting plate in the control cabinet.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing has a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall opposite the top wall. An opening for the passage of cables is provided in each of the top wall and the bottom wall. The connection unit can be electrically connected, in particular, to another connection unit by means of the cables.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the housing is made of electrically conductive material. This makes grounding the housing easy.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the ground conductor is conductively connected to the housing, and the ground input terminal is aligned with a hole in the front wall of the housing. A ground bar can thus be electrically connected to the ground conductor by means of a screw that is screwed through the hole in the ground input terminal.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an inner insulating body is arranged on the front wall within the housing, and the positive conductor is held in the inner insulating body, and the negative conductor is held in the inner insulating body.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the positive input terminal is aligned with a hole made in the outer insulating body, with a hole made in the front wall of the housing, and with a hole made in the inner insulating body, and the negative input terminal is aligned with a hole made in the outer insulating body, with a hole made in the front wall of the housing, and with a hole made in the inner insulating body. A positive busbar can thus be electrically connected to the positive conductor by means of a screw that is screwed through the holes in the positive input terminal. A negative busbar can thus be electrically connected to the negative conductor by means of a screw that is screwed through the holes in the negative input terminal.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first conductor having a first input terminal and a first output terminal, and a second conductor having a second input terminal and a second output terminal, are arranged in the housing. A further insulating body is arranged on the front wall at least partially within the housing. The first conductor is held in the further insulating body, and the second conductor is held in the further insulating body. The first conductor and the second conductor serve in particular to provide an auxiliary voltage of, for example, 12 V or 24 V.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the additional insulating body extends through the front wall. The first input terminal is aligned with a bore in the additional insulating body. The second input terminal is also aligned with a bore in the additional insulating body. A first busbar can thus be electrically connected to the first conductor by means of a screw that is screwed through the bore in the first input terminal. A second busbar can thus be electrically connected to the second conductor by means of a screw that is screwed through the bore in the second input terminal.

[0019] A drive system according to the invention comprises an electrical intermediate circuit to which a direct voltage is applied, at least one axle module that generates an alternating voltage for an electric motor from the direct voltage of the intermediate circuit, and at least one connection unit according to the invention. The positive input terminal and the negative input terminal of the connection unit are connected to the intermediate circuit. The intermediate circuits of several rows of the drive system according to the invention in a control cabinet can be electrically connected to one another.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the drive system comprises a first connection unit and a second connection unit, with the axle module arranged between the connection units. Thus, one connection unit is arranged on the right side next to the axle module, and one connection unit is arranged on the left side next to the axle module.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the drive system further comprises at least one supply module that feeds a DC voltage into the intermediate circuit. The supply module and the axis module are arranged between the connection units. Thus, one connection unit is arranged on the right side next to the axis module and the supply module, and one connection unit is arranged on the left side next to the axis module and the supply module.

[0022] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. The drawings only represent the subject matter of the invention schematically. They show: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a connection unit, Fig. 2: an exploded view of the connection unit with connected cables, Fig. 3: a drive system according to a first embodiment and Fig. 4: a drive system according to a second embodiment.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connection unit 10 for a drive system. The connection unit 10 comprises a housing 30. The housing 30 surrounds a cavity for accommodating cables 60 (not shown here).

[0024] The housing 30 is cuboid-shaped and has a top wall 35, a bottom wall 36 (covered here), a first side wall 31, a second side wall 32 (covered here), a front wall 33, and a rear wall 34 (covered here). The side walls 31, 32 are arranged opposite one another. Furthermore, the bottom wall 36 and the top wall 35 are arranged opposite one another. The rear wall 33 is arranged opposite the front wall 33.

[0025] The bottom wall 36, the top wall 35, the first side wall 31, the second side wall 32, the front wall 33, and the rear wall 34 are made of electrically conductive material, for example, aluminum or steel. Thus, the housing 30 is made of electrically conductive material, in particular aluminum or steel. An opening 39 for the passage of cables 60 is provided in the top wall 35 and in the bottom wall 36, which is concealed here.

[0026] The connection unit 10 comprises a mounting plate 38, which is arranged on the rear wall 34 of the housing 30. The mounting plate 38 serves to attach the housing 30 to a mounting plate in a control cabinet. The connection unit 10 further comprises a cover 37, which is made of an electrically insulating material. The cover 37 is arranged on the front wall 33 and conceals the live parts of the connection unit 10 located underneath. The cover 37 serves as contact protection.

[0027] Fig. Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the connection unit 10 with connected cables 60. The cover 37 has been removed. The housing 30 is constructed in two parts. One part of the housing 30 comprises the side walls 31, 32 and the rear wall 34. The other part of the housing 30 comprises the bottom wall 36, the top wall 35, and the front wall 33.

[0028] The connection unit 10 includes a positive conductor 41, a negative conductor 42, and a ground conductor 43. The positive conductor 41 has a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal. The negative conductor 42 has a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal. The ground conductor 43 has a ground input terminal and a ground output terminal. The positive conductor 41, the negative conductor 42, and the ground conductor 43 are arranged in the housing 30.

[0029] The positive output terminal, the negative output terminal, and the ground output terminal are each connected to a cable 60 by means of a screw. The screws are screwed into the respective output terminal. The cables 60 are led out of the housing 30 through the opening 39 in the cover wall 35.

[0030] The ground conductor 43 is conductively connected to the front wall 33 of the housing 30. The ground input terminal is aligned with a bore 56 formed in the front wall 33 of the housing 30. The ground input terminal has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw. The bore 56 has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw.

[0031] The connection unit 10 comprises an inner insulating body 52. ​​The inner insulating body 52 is arranged on the front wall 33 within the housing 30. The positive conductor 41 is held in the inner insulating body 52, and the negative conductor 42 is also held in the inner insulating body 52.

[0032] The connection unit 10 comprises an outer insulating body 50. The outer insulating body 50 is arranged on the front wall 33 of the housing 30, outside the housing 30. The outer insulating body 50 serves to accommodate a positive busbar Uz+ (not shown here) and a negative busbar Uz- (not shown here).

[0033] The positive input terminal of the positive conductor 41 is aligned with a bore 56 formed in the outer insulating body 50, with a bore 56 formed in the front wall 33 of the housing 30, and with a bore 56 formed in the inner insulating body 52. ​​The positive input terminal has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw. The bore 56 has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw.

[0034] The negative input terminal of the negative conductor 42 is also aligned with a bore 56 formed in the outer insulating body 50, with a bore 56 formed in the front wall 33 of the housing 30, and with a bore 56 formed in the inner insulating body 52. ​​The negative input terminal has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw. The bore 56 has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw.

[0035] The connection unit 10 also includes a first conductor 61 and a second conductor 62. The first conductor 61 has a first input terminal and a first output terminal. The second conductor 62 has a second input terminal and a second output terminal. The first conductor 61 and the second conductor 62 are arranged in the housing 30.

[0036] The first output terminal and the second output terminal are each connected to a cable 60 by means of a screw. The screws are screwed into the respective output terminal. The cables 60 are led out of the housing 30 through the opening 39 in the cover wall 35.

[0037] The connection unit 10 includes another insulating body 54. The other insulating body 54 is partially arranged within the housing 30 on the front wall 33 and penetrates the front wall 33. The first conductor 61 is held in the other insulating body 54, and the second conductor 62 is also held in the other insulating body 54.

[0038] The first input terminal of the first conductor 61 is aligned with a bore 56 formed in the further insulating body 54. The first input terminal has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw. The bore 56 has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw.

[0039] The second input terminal of the second conductor 62 is also aligned with a bore 56 formed in the further insulating body 54. The second input terminal has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw. The bore 56 has, for example, an internal thread, preferably M6, for screwing in a screw.

[0040] Fig. 3 shows a drive system according to a first embodiment. The drive system comprises an electrical intermediate circuit to which a direct voltage is applied. The drive system includes an axle module 20, which generates an alternating voltage for an electric motor from the direct voltage of the intermediate circuit. The axle module 20 also has an inverter that supplies the electric motor. The speed and / or torque of the electric motor can be controlled by means of the inverter.

[0041] The drive system comprises a first connection unit 10 and a second connection unit 10. The axis module 20 is arranged between the first connection unit 10 and the second connection unit 10. The axis module 20 comprises a mounting plate 38 for attachment to a mounting plate in a control cabinet.

[0042] The positive conductors 41 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a positive busbar Uz+ by means of a screw screwed into the positive input terminal. The negative conductors 42 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a negative busbar Uz- by means of a screw screwed into the negative input terminal.

[0043] The positive busbars Uz+ and the negative busbars Uz- are electrically connected to the intermediate circuit and to the axis module 20. Thus, the positive input terminals and the negative input terminals of the connection units 10 are each connected to the intermediate circuit.

[0044] The ground conductors 43 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a grounding bar (PE) by means of a screw screwed into the grounding input terminal. Thus, the PE grounding bars are electrically connected to the housings 30 of the connection units 10. The PE grounding bars are also electrically connected to the axle module 20.

[0045] The first conductors 61 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a first busbar 63 by means of a screw screwed into the first input terminal. The second conductors 62 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a second busbar 64 by means of a screw screwed into the second input terminal.

[0046] The first busbars 63 and the second busbars 64 are electrically connected to the axle module 20. An auxiliary voltage of 24 V is present between the first busbars 63 and the second busbars 64.

[0047] Fig. Figure 4 shows a drive system according to a second embodiment. The drive system comprises an electrical intermediate circuit to which a direct voltage is applied. The drive system includes an axle module 20, which generates an alternating voltage for an electric motor from the direct voltage of the intermediate circuit. The drive system additionally includes a supply module 25, which feeds a direct voltage into the intermediate circuit.

[0048] The supply module 25 has a rectifier powered by an AC mains, whose DC voltage side terminals are connected to the intermediate circuit. The axis module 20 has an inverter that powers the electric motor. The speed and / or torque of the electric motor can be controlled by the inverter.

[0049] The drive system comprises a first connection unit 10 and a second connection unit 10. The axis module 20 and the supply module 25 are arranged between the first connection unit 10 and the second connection unit 10. The supply module 25 and the axis module 20 each comprise a mounting plate 38 for attachment to a mounting plate in a control cabinet.

[0050] The positive conductors 41 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a positive busbar Uz+ by means of a screw screwed into the positive input terminal. The negative conductors 42 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a negative busbar Uz- by means of a screw screwed into the negative input terminal.

[0051] The positive busbars Uz+ and the negative busbars Uz- are electrically connected to the intermediate circuit, to the supply module 25, and to the axis module 20. Thus, the positive input terminals and the negative input terminals of the connection units 10 are each connected to the intermediate circuit.

[0052] The ground conductors 43 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a PE grounding bar by means of a screw screwed into the grounding input terminal. Thus, the PE grounding bars are electrically connected to the housings 30 of the connection units 10. The PE grounding bars are also electrically connected to the supply module 25 and the axis module 20.

[0053] The first conductors 61 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a first busbar 63 by means of a screw screwed into the first input terminal. The second conductors 62 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a second busbar 64 by means of a screw screwed into the second input terminal.

[0054] The first busbars 63 and the second busbars 64 are electrically connected to the supply module 25 and to the axis module 20. An auxiliary voltage of 24 V is present between the first busbars 63 and the second busbars 64. List of reference symbols 10 connection unit 20 axis module 25 supply module 30 housings 31 first side wall 32 second side wall 33 Front wall 34 Rear wall 35 Ceiling wall 36 floor wall 37 Cover 38 Mounting plate 39 Opening 41 positive conductor 42 negative conductor 43 Earth conductors 50 outer insulating body 52 inner insulating body 54 additional insulating bodies 56 bore 60 cables 61 first leader 62 second leader 63 first busbar 64 second busbar Uz+ positive busbar Uz- negative current rail PE earthing bar

Claims

[1] Connection unit (10) for a drive system, comprising a cuboid-shaped housing (30), in which a positive conductor (41) having a positive input terminal and a positive output terminal, a negative conductor (42) having a negative input terminal and a negative output terminal, and an earth conductor (43) having an earth input terminal and an earth output terminal, an outer insulating body (50) for receiving a positive busbar (Uz+) and a negative busbar (Uz-), and a mounting plate (38) for fastening the housing (30) to a mounting plate in a control cabinet, wherein the outer insulating body (50) is arranged on a front wall (33) of the housing (30), and wherein the mounting plate (38) is arranged on a rear wall (34) of the housing (30) opposite the front wall (33). [2] Connection unit (10) according to claim 1, characterized by that the housing (30) has a first side wall (31), a second side wall (32) opposite the first side wall (31), a top wall (35) and a bottom wall (36) opposite the top wall (35), and that an opening (39) for the passage of cables (60) is provided in each of the top wall (35) and the bottom wall (36). [3] Connection unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the housing (30) is made of electrically conductive material. [4] Connection unit (10) according to claim 3, characterized by that the earth conductor (43) is conductively connected to the housing (30), and that the earth input terminal is aligned with a bore (56) made in the front wall (33) of the housing (30). [5] Connection unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an inner insulating body (52) is arranged on the front wall (33) within the housing (30), and that the positive conductor (41) is held in the inner insulating body (52), and that the negative conductor (42) is held in the inner insulating body (52). [6] Connection unit (10) according to claim 5, characterized by that the positive input terminal with a bore (56) made in the outer insulating body (50), with a bore (56) in the front wall (33) of the housing (30) and is aligned with a hole (56) made in the inner insulating body (52), and that the negative input terminal with a bore (56) made in the outer insulating body (50), with a bore (56) in the front wall (33) of the housing (30) and aligned with a bore (56) made in the inner insulating body (52). [7] Connection unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that in the housing (30) a first conductor (61) having a first input terminal and a first output terminal, and a second conductor (62) having a second input terminal and a second output terminal, and that a further insulating body (54) is arranged on the front wall (33) at least partially within the housing (30), and that the first conductor (61) is held in the further insulating body (54), and that the second conductor (62) is held in the further insulating body (54). [8] Connection unit (10) according to claim 7, characterized by , that the further insulating body (54) extends through the front wall (33), and that the first input terminal is aligned with a bore (56) made in the further insulating body (54), and that the second input terminal is aligned with a bore (56) made in the further insulating body (54). [9] Drive system, comprising an electrical intermediate circuit to which a direct voltage is applied, at least one axis module (20) which generates an alternating voltage for an electric motor from the direct voltage of the intermediate circuit, and at least one connection unit (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the positive input terminal and the negative input terminal of the connection unit (10) are connected to the intermediate circuit. [10] Drive system according to claim 9, comprising a first connection unit (10) and a second connection unit (10), wherein the axle module (20) is arranged between the connection units (10). [11] Drive system according to claim 10, further comprising at least one supply module (25) which feeds a DC voltage into the intermediate circuit, wherein the supply module (25) and the axis module (20) are arranged between the connection units (10).

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