Electrically connecting two components

Abstract

The invention relates to a connecting element (3) for electrically connecting a first component (5) and a second component (7), wherein the first component (5) is a housing wall of a housing of an electrical assembly and the second component (7) is a feedthrough of the housing, and wherein the housing wall has a wall opening (9) through which the feedthrough is guided, and wherein the feedthrough has an insulating body (11) made of an electrically insulating material, and wherein an electrical conductor (12) is guided through the insulating body (11), which is led out of the housing through the feedthrough and has an externally contactable end region with an internal thread (14), and wherein a small-signal transducer is arranged in the insulating body (11), which is designed to measure an electric current flowing in the conductor (12) or an electric voltage applied to the conductor (12).and wherein the housing is at a reference potential, and wherein the bushing has three ground connections (13) for grounding the small-signal converter, for each of which the insulating body (11) has an insulating body opening (15) so that the ground connections (13) can be contacted from outside the insulating body (11), and wherein the insulating body openings (15) are arranged equidistantly along a circular line, comprising at least one contact section (17) which is configured to be arranged between the first component (5) and the second component (7) and to be connected to the first component (5) and the second component (7) by crimping, is made of an electrically conductive material, has a first contact surface (19) which is configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to the first component (5) by crimping, and has a second contact surface (21) which is configuredto be mechanically and electrically connected to the second component (7) by caulking.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a connecting element and a method for electrically connecting a first component and a second component. Furthermore, the invention relates to a component arrangement comprising a first component and a second component.

[0002] When using electrical equipment such as switchgear or transformers, a voltage indication system is required to protect personnel, such as operators, and to signal whether the switchgear can be operated safely. For example, a capacitor is installed in a primary path of the equipment for each electrical phase, and this value is evaluated by the indication system. These capacitors are also used, for example, in small-signal converters for measurement and protection purposes.

[0003] The grounding of electrical components must be designed according to the magnitude of their capacitances. For applications involving voltage indication, a grounding method must be found to safely ground components with very high capacitances. In the case of small-signal converters, a symmetrical grounding solution must also be found to achieve a uniformly distributed ground around each component, thereby preventing problems caused by external electrical interference and simultaneously improving measurement accuracy.

[0004] Grounding is achieved, for example, using electrically conductive materials. However, in components with very large capacitances, the contact resistance of this grounding, such as that of conductive plastics, is often too high and would therefore distort the indication of the absence of voltage in the electrical device, thus jeopardizing adequate protection of persons.

[0005] Alternatively, grounding can be achieved using a screw connection. While this grounding provides sufficient contact resistance for all components, the screw point is positioned eccentrically to the primary path, resulting in unbalanced grounding in small-signal converters. Furthermore, the effort required for such a screw connection and the grounding conductor is considerable and costly, due to the need for weld studs, contact washers, nuts, and / or pre-assembled grounding conductors with, for example, cable lugs, which often have to be installed in a high-voltage environment.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a connecting element and a method for an improved and, in particular, simplified electrical connection of two components, which in particular enables an improved and simplified grounding of one of these components.

[0007] The object is achieved according to the invention by a connecting element with the features of claim 1, a component arrangement with the features of claim 13 and a method with the features of claim 15.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] A connecting element according to the invention for electrically connecting a first component and a second component comprises - at least one contact section which - is designed to be positioned between the first component and the second component and to be connected to the first component and the second component by caulking, - is made of an electrically conductive material, - has a first contact surface designed to be mechanically and electrically connected to the first component by crimping, and - has a second contact surface which is designed to be mechanically and electrically connected to the second component by crimping.

[0010] A connecting element according to the invention thus enables the electrical connection of two components by crimping them. For this purpose, the connecting element has at least one contact section with two contact surfaces, which can each be mechanically and electrically connected to one of the components by crimping. This simplifies the connection of the components compared to, for example, a screw connection, since the screwing effort is eliminated and no additional elements such as weld studs, contact washers, nuts and / or pre-assembled grounding leads with cable lugs are required, which may also have to be installed in a high-voltage area.

[0011] Furthermore, by clamping with the connecting element, a very stable connection between the two components can be achieved, which, for example, is not loosened by vibrations that can loosen a screw connection depending on its design and specified torque.

[0012] The connecting element according to the invention particularly simplifies the grounding of a component by electrically and mechanically connecting this component to another grounded component by clamping it. In particular, the invention enables a very low-resistance grounding of the component, for example, a grounding in the range below one ohm.

[0013] In one embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, the contact surfaces of each contact section are arranged on opposite sides of the contact section. This allows the connecting element to be clamped between the two components.

[0014] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, each contact section has at least one toothed section, the surface of which forms a contact area of ​​the contact section. The toothed section enables a particularly effective force-fit connection of the contact section to a component.

[0015] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, each contact section has at least one wedge-shaped contact surface. This also enables a particularly effective force-fit connection of the contact section to a component.

[0016] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, each contact section has at least one through-hole arranged between the contact surfaces. A through-hole in a contact section advantageously enables non-destructive deformation of the contact section during its crimping.

[0017] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, the connecting element is manufactured in one piece from the electrically conductive material. The one-piece design of the connecting element simplifies its manufacture and assembly, as no components need to be joined together. Furthermore, the one-piece design also increases the stability of the connecting element, as potential points of failure at component connections are avoided.

[0018] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, the electrically conductive material is spring steel or stainless steel. Manufacturing the connecting element from spring steel or stainless steel is advantageous due to the strength of these materials. Manufacturing from spring steel is also advantageous due to its elasticity, as this facilitates the insertion of the connecting element between the components and its crimping. Furthermore, stainless steels have non-ferromagnetic properties, which offers advantages with regard to magnetic fields.

[0019] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, the connecting element is designed as an open ring. Designing the connecting element as an open ring also simplifies its insertion between the components, as this increases the flexibility of the connecting element.

[0020] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, the ends of the open ring are each designed as a contact section. By designing the ends of the open ring as contact sections, the amount of material required for manufacturing the connecting element is advantageously minimized.

[0021] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, the open ring extends along a circular arc. This embodiment of the connecting element is adapted to typical geometries of components that are joined at circularly extending connecting surfaces.

[0022] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, the circular arc has a central angle of 240 degrees. This allows, for example, the arrangement of two contact sections at each end of the circular arc and a third contact section in the middle of the circular arc, so that the contact sections are arranged at the corners of an equilateral triangle. This enables, for example, a symmetrical distribution of grounding connections for a component, which is advantageous, for instance, when a small signal converter of the component is grounded as a result.

[0023] In a further embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, the connecting element has several contact sections that are distributed equidistantly along the circular arc. This also advantageously enables a symmetrical distribution of grounding connections of a component.

[0024] A component arrangement according to the invention comprises a first component, a second component and a connecting element designed according to the invention, wherein the first contact surface of each contact section of the connecting element is mechanically and electrically connected to the first component by crimping and the second contact surface of each contact section of the connecting element is mechanically and electrically connected to the second component by crimping.

[0025] The advantages of a component arrangement according to the invention result from the advantages of a connecting element according to the invention mentioned above.

[0026] In one embodiment of a component arrangement according to the invention, the first component is a housing or a housing part of a housing of an electrical assembly, and the second component is a feedthrough of the housing. This embodiment is aimed in particular at grounding a component of the feedthrough, for example a small-signal converter, by means of an electrical connection to a grounded housing that includes the feedthrough.

[0027] In the inventive method for electrically connecting a first component and a second component, a connecting element designed according to the invention is arranged between the components and the first contact surface of each contact section of the connecting element is mechanically and electrically connected to the first component by crimping, and the second contact surface of each contact section of the connecting element is mechanically and electrically connected to the second component.

[0028] The advantages of the method according to the invention correspond to the advantages mentioned above of a connecting element according to the invention.

[0029] The properties, features, and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more readily understandable in connection with the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings. These drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of a component arrangement according to the invention with an embodiment of a connecting element according to the invention, Fig. 2 a top view of the in Fig. 1 Component arrangement shown with the connecting element.

[0030] Corresponding parts in the figures are labelled with the same reference symbols. For better understanding, a Cartesian coordinate system with coordinates x, y, z is shown in each figure.

[0031] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows exemplary embodiments of a component arrangement 1 and a connecting element 3 according to the invention. Fig. 1 ( Fig. 1) a perspective exploded view of the component arrangement 1 with the connecting element 3 and Fig. 2 ( Fig. 2) shows a top view of the component arrangement 1 with the connecting element 3.

[0032] Component arrangement 1 comprises a first component 5, a second component 7, and the connecting element 3. In the Fig. 1 and Fig. In the two illustrated embodiments, the first component 5 is a housing wall of an electrical assembly housing, and the second component 7 is a feedthrough in the housing. The housing wall has a wall opening 9 through which the feedthrough is guided. The feedthrough has an insulating body 11 made of an electrically insulating material. An electrical conductor 12 is guided through the insulating body 11, exits the housing through the feedthrough, and has an externally contactable end section with an internal thread 14. A [missing information - likely a specific component or element] is located in the insulating body 11. Fig. 1 and Fig.Two concealed miniature signal transducers are arranged, designed to measure an electric current flowing in conductor 12 or an electric voltage applied to conductor 12. The housing is at a reference potential (earth potential). For grounding the miniature signal transducer, the bushing has three ground terminals 13, for which the insulating body 11 has an insulating opening 15 for each terminal, allowing contact from outside the insulating body 11. The insulating openings 15 are arranged equidistantly along a circular path.

[0033] The connecting element 3 is arranged between an edge 16 of the wall opening 9 of the housing wall and the insulating body 11. The connecting element 3 is manufactured in one piece from an electrically conductive material, for example, spring steel or stainless steel, in the form of an open ring. The open ring extends along a circular arc with a central angle of 240 degrees. The connecting element 3 has three contact sections 17, with two contact sections 17 each being arranged at one end of the circular arc and thus forming one end of the connecting element 3, and the third contact section 17 being arranged in the middle of the circular arc.

[0034] Each contact section 17 has a first contact surface 19, which abuts the edge 16 of the wall opening 9, and a second contact surface 21, which abuts a ground terminal 13 of the bushing. The contact surfaces 19 and 21 are arranged on opposite sides of the contact section 17. The first contact surface 19 is a surface of a toothed section 23 on an outer side of the contact section 17 facing the edge 16 of the wall opening 9. The second contact surface 21 is a substantially flat surface on an inner side of the contact section 17 facing the insulating body 11 of the bushing. Each contact section 17 also has a through-hole 25 between the contact surfaces 19 and 21.

[0035] The first contact surface 19 of each contact section 17 is mechanically and electrically connected to the edge 16 of the wall opening 9, and thus to the housing wall, by crimping. The second contact surface 21 of each contact section 17 is mechanically and electrically connected to a ground terminal 13 of the small-signal converter of the bushing by crimping. The connecting element 3 thus electrically connects each ground terminal 13 to the housing and places it at earth potential.

[0036] Although the invention has been further illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived from them by a person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention. Reference symbol list 1 Component arrangement 3 Connecting element 5 first component 7 second component 9 Wall opening 11 insulating bodies 12 ladders 13 Ground connection 14 internal threads 15 Insulating body opening 16 Rand 17 Contact section 19 first contact surface 21 second contact surface 23 Gearing 25 through hole x, y, z Cartesian coordinate

Claims

Connecting element (3) for electrically connecting a first component (5) and a second component (7), comprising: - at least one contact section (17) which is designed to be arranged between the first component (5) and the second component (7) and to be connected to the first component (5) and the second component (7) by crimping, - is made of an electrically conductive material, - has a first contact surface (19) which is designed to be mechanically and electrically connected to the first component (5) by crimping, and - has a second contact surface (21) which is designed to be mechanically and electrically connected to the second component (7) by crimping. Connecting element (3) according to claim 1, wherein the contact surfaces (19, 21) of each contact section (17) are arranged on opposite sides of the contact section (17). Connecting element (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each contact section (17) has at least one toothing (23) whose surface forms a contact surface (19, 21) of the contact section (17). Connecting element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each contact section (17) has at least one wedge-shaped contact surface (19, 21). Connecting element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein each contact section (17) has at least one through hole (25) arranged between the contact surfaces (19, 21). Connecting element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, which is made in one piece from the electrically conductive material. Connecting element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the electrically conductive material is a spring steel or a stainless steel. Connecting element (3) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as an open ring. Connecting element (3) according to claim 8, wherein the ends of the open ring are each formed as a contact section (17). Connecting element (3) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the open ring extends along a circular arc. Connecting element (3) according to claim 10, wherein the circular arc has a central angle of 240 degrees. Connecting element (3) according to claim 10 or 11 with several contact sections (17) which are equidistantly distributed along the circular arc. Component arrangement (1) comprising a first component (5), a second component (7) and a connecting element (3) designed according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first contact surface (19) of each contact section (17) of the connecting element (3) is mechanically and electrically connected to the first component (5) by crimping and the second contact surface (21) of each contact section (17) of the connecting element (3) is mechanically and electrically connected to the second component (7) by crimping. Component arrangement (1) according to claim 13, wherein the first component (5) is a housing or a housing part of a housing of an electrical assembly and the second component (7) is a feedthrough of the housing. Method for electrically connecting a first component (5) and a second component (7), wherein a connecting element (3) designed according to claims 1 to 12 is arranged between the components (5, 7) and the first contact surface (19) of each contact section (17) of the connecting element (3) is mechanically and electrically connected to the first component (5) by crimping and the second contact surface (21) of each contact section (17) of the connecting element (3) is mechanically and electrically connected to the second component (7).

Images