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, comprising 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 existing technology, comprising a power supply module and an axis module. The power supply module generates a DC voltage and feeds it into an intermediate circuit. The axis module includes an inverter and converts the DC voltage from the intermediate circuit into an AC voltage for the electric motor.

[0003] From DE 10 2016 012 093 A1, an electrical equipment system is known which comprises a power supply module and several axis modules. Each axis module has an inverter that is powered from the intermediate circuit and converts the supplied DC voltage into a three-phase AC voltage. The electrical equipment system also has two connection units.

[0004] From DE 10 2016 004 884 B4, a drive system with an intermediate circuit busbar is known. The drive system has a power supply module and several axis modules. The axis modules can be powered from the power supply module via the intermediate circuit busbar.

[0005] From DE 10 2019 007 400 A1, a drive system is known which comprises modules. The modules each have a connection, with each connection being electrically connected by means of a respective busbar.

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

[0007] The power supply module and the axis modules are typically arranged side-by-side in a row within 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, particularly two, rows within the control cabinet. The DC links of the individual rows are then electrically connected to each other via connection units.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of further developing a connection unit for a drive system as well as a drive system.

[0009] The problem is solved by a connection unit for a drive system with the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims. The problem is solved by a drive system with the features specified in claim 9. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[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 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.

[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 by means of a connection unit according to the invention. The connection unit can be optionally arranged to the right or left of a power supply module, 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 comprises 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 routing cables is provided in both the top wall and the bottom wall. The connection unit can be electrically connected to another connection unit, in particular, by means of these 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 earth conductor is conductively connected to the housing, and the earthing input terminal is aligned with a bore in the front wall of the housing. An earthing rail can thus be electrically connected to the earth conductor by means of a screw that is screwed through the bore into the earthing input terminal.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, an inner insulating body is arranged on the front wall inside 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 bore in the outer insulating body, with a bore in the front wall of the housing, and with a bore in the inner insulating body, and the negative input terminal is aligned with a bore in the outer insulating body, with a bore in the front wall of the housing, and with a bore 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 bores into 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 bores into the negative input terminal.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a first conductor, comprising a first input terminal and a first output terminal, and a second conductor, comprising a second input terminal and a second output terminal, are arranged in the housing. A further insulating element is arranged at least partially inside the housing on the front wall. The first conductor and the second conductor are held within this further insulating element. The first and second conductors 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 into 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 into the second input terminal.

[0019] 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.

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

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

[0022] The invention is not limited to the combination of features stated in the claims. For a person skilled in the art, further meaningful combinations of claims and / or individual claim features and / or features of the description and / or the figures will become apparent, in particular from the problem statement and / or the problem arising from a comparison with the prior art.

[0023] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the illustrations. The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the illustrations. The illustrations only depict 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 attached cables, Fig. 3: a drive system according to a first embodiment and Fig. 4: a drive system according to a second embodiment.

[0024] 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 receiving cables 60 (not shown here).

[0025] The housing 30 is cuboid in shape and comprises a top wall 35, a bottom wall 36 (concealed here), a first side wall 31, a second side wall 32 (concealed here), a front wall 33, and a rear wall 34 (concealed here). The side walls 31 and 32 are arranged opposite each other. Furthermore, the bottom wall 36 and the top wall 35 are arranged opposite each other. The rear wall 33 is arranged opposite the front wall 34.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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 also comprises a cover 37, which is made of an electrically insulating material. The cover 37 is arranged on the front wall 33 and conceals underlying live parts of the connection unit 10. The cover 37 serves as touch protection.

[0028] 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 made of 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.

[0029] The connection unit 10 comprises a positive conductor 41, a negative conductor 42, and an earth 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 earth conductor 43 has an earth input terminal and an earth output terminal. The positive conductor 41, the negative conductor 42, and the earth conductor 43 are arranged in the housing 30.

[0030] The positive output terminal, the negative output terminal, and the grounding 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.

[0031] The earth conductor 43 is conductively connected to the front wall 33 of the housing 30. The earthing input terminal is aligned with a bore 56 that is provided in the front wall 33 of the housing 30. The earthing 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.

[0032] The connection unit 10 comprises an inner insulating body 52. ​​The inner insulating body 52 is arranged on the front wall 33 inside 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.

[0033] 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).

[0034] The positive input terminal of the positive conductor 41 is aligned with a bore 56 provided in the outer insulating body 50, with a bore 56 provided in the front wall 33 of the housing 30, and with a bore 56 provided 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.

[0035] The negative input terminal of the negative conductor 42 is also aligned with a bore 56 provided in the outer insulating body 50, with a bore 56 provided in the front wall 33 of the housing 30, and with a bore 56 provided 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] The first and second output terminals 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.

[0038] The connection unit 10 comprises a further insulating body 54. The further insulating body 54 is arranged on the front wall 33, partially inside the housing 30, and extends through the front wall 33. The first conductor 61 is held in the further insulating body 54, and the second conductor 62 is also held in the further insulating body 54.

[0039] The first input terminal of the first conductor 61 is aligned with a bore 56 provided 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.

[0040] The second input terminal of the second conductor 62 is also aligned with a bore 56 provided 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.

[0041] Fig. Figure 3 shows a drive system according to a first embodiment. The drive system comprises an electrical intermediate circuit to which a DC voltage is applied. The drive system includes an axle module 20, which generates an AC voltage for an electric motor from the DC voltage of the intermediate circuit. The axle module 20 has an inverter for this purpose, which supplies power to the electric motor. The speed and / or torque of the electric motor can be controlled by means of the inverter.

[0042] 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 includes a mounting plate 38 for attachment to a mounting plate in a control cabinet.

[0043] The positive conductors 41 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a positive busbar Uz+ by means of a screw that is 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 that is screwed into the negative input terminal.

[0044] The positive busbars Uz+ and the negative busbars Uz- are electrically connected to the DC link 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 DC link.

[0045] The earth conductors 43 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to an earthing rail PE by means of a screw that is screwed into the earthing input terminal. Thus, the earthing rails PE are electrically connected to the housings 30 of the connection units 10. The earthing rails PE are also electrically connected to the axle module 20.

[0046] The first conductors 61 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a first busbar 63 by means of a screw that is 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 that is screwed into the second input terminal.

[0047] 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.

[0048] Fig. Figure 4 shows a drive system according to a second embodiment. The drive system comprises an electrical intermediate circuit to which a DC voltage is applied. The drive system includes an axle module 20, which generates an AC voltage for an electric motor from the DC voltage of the intermediate circuit. The drive system additionally includes a supply module 25, which feeds a DC voltage into the intermediate circuit.

[0049] The power supply module 25 has a rectifier powered by an AC mains supply, whose DC-side connections are connected to the intermediate circuit. The axle module 20 has an inverter that powers the electric motor. The speed and / or torque of the electric motor can be controlled by means of the inverter.

[0050] The drive system comprises a first connection unit 10 and a second connection unit 10. The axis module 20 and the power supply module 25 are arranged between the first connection unit 10 and the second connection unit 10. The power supply module 25 and the axis module 20 each include a mounting plate 38 for attachment to a mounting plate in a control cabinet.

[0051] The positive conductors 41 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a positive busbar Uz+ by means of a screw that is 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 that is screwed into the negative input terminal.

[0052] The positive busbars Uz+ and the negative busbars Uz- are electrically connected to the DC link, the power supply module 25, and the axis module 20. Thus, the positive input terminals and the negative input terminals of the connection units 10 are each connected to the DC link.

[0053] The earth conductors 43 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to an earthing rail PE by means of a screw that is screwed into the earthing input terminal. Thus, the earthing rails PE are electrically connected to the housings 30 of the connection units 10. The earthing rails PE are also electrically connected to the supply module 25 and to the axis module 20.

[0054] The first conductors 61 of the connection units 10 are each electrically connected to a first busbar 63 by means of a screw that is 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 that is screwed into the second input terminal.

[0055] The first busbars 63 and the second busbars 64 are electrically connected to the power supply module 25 and the axle module 20. An auxiliary voltage of 24 V is present between the first busbars 63 and the second busbars 64. Reference symbol list 10 connection unit 20 axle module 25 Supply module 30 cases 31 first side wall 32 second side wall 33 Front wall 34 Back panel 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 conductor 63 first busbar 64 second busbar Uz+ positive busbar Uz negative busbar PE grounding rail QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

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

[0000] DE 10 2016 012 093 A1

[0003] DE 10 2016 004 884 B4

[0004] DE 10 2019 007 400 A1

[0005] DE 10 2020 001 036 A1

[0006]

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 earthing input terminal and an earthing output terminal are arranged, an outer insulating body (50) for receiving a positive busbar (Uz+) and a negative busbar (Uz-), and a mounting plate (38) for attaching 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 the top wall (35) and in the bottom wall (36). [3] Connection unit (10) according to any 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 earthing input terminal is aligned with a bore (56) provided in the front wall (33) of the housing (30). [5] Connection unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that an inner insulating body (52) is arranged on the front wall (33) inside 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) provided in the outer insulating body (50), with a bore (56) provided in the front wall (33) of the housing (30) and with a bore (56) provided in the inner insulating body (52), and that the negative input terminal with a bore (56) provided in the outer insulating body (50), with a bore (56) provided in the front wall (33) of the housing (30) and with a bore (56) provided in the inner insulating body (52). [7] Connection unit (10) according to any 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 are arranged, and that a further insulating body (54) is arranged at least partially inside the housing (30) on the front wall (33), 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) inserted into the further insulating body (54), and that the second input terminal is aligned with a bore (56) inserted into the further insulating body (54). [9] Drive system, comprising an electrical intermediate circuit to which a DC voltage is applied, at least one axle module (20) which generates an alternating voltage for an electric motor from the DC 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 axle module (20) are arranged between the connection units (10).

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