Connector for the electrically conductive connection of a first busbar with a second busbar

Abstract

Connector (1) for the electrically conductive connection of a first busbar (4) to a second busbar (5), with a plug (2) and a mating plug (3), wherein the plug (2) is connectable to the first busbar (4) and the mating plug (3) is connectable to the second busbar (5), wherein the plug (2) has a first fastening means (21) and the mating plug (3) has a second fastening means (31) complementary to the first fastening means (21), wherein a current bridge (6) is provided for the electrically conductive connection of the first busbar (4) to the second busbar (5) in an assembled state, wherein the plug (2) has a first current bridge element (26) of the current bridge (6) and the mating plug (3) has a second current bridge element (36) of the current bridge (6), wherein the plug (2) and the mating plug (3) each have, at least on one intended plug-in side (20, 30), a contact protection (7) with an outer electrically insulated sleeve (71) and an electrically insulated protective sleeve (72), wherein the protective sleeve (72) is surrounded by the sleeve (71), in particular coaxially, wherein the current bridge (6), in particular coaxially, is arranged between the corresponding sleeve (71) and the corresponding protective sleeve (72), wherein at least the respective sleeve (71) protrudes from the current bridge (6) on the corresponding plug-in side (20, 30), wherein the respective protective sleeve (72) is arranged radially spaced from the first fastening means (21) at least in the region of the first current bridge element (26), wherein at least the protective sleeve (72) of the plug (2) protrudes from the sleeve (71) of the plug (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plug connector, in particular a module connector, for the electrically conductive connection of a first busbar to a second busbar, in particular of an energy storage device or modules of an energy storage device of an electric drive of a motor vehicle, with a plug and a mating plug.

[0002] A variety of plug-in connectors or module connectors are known from the prior art for electrically connecting a first busbar to a second busbar of modules of an energy storage system in an electric motor vehicle. Such modules generate high voltages and currents, which can be dangerous for users if they come into contact with them.

[0003] The connector comprises a plug and a mating plug, which can be electrically connected to each other and to which a busbar can be connected. Furthermore, the plug and mating plug can be secured together with a fastener. However, this fastener is usually in contact with at least one of the corresponding busbars, so that they cannot be touched by the user during assembly.

[0004] To protect against accidental contact, the plug and mating plug are provided with an outer, electrically insulating collar and an electrically insulated protective pin surrounded by the collar on the respective intended mating side, which faces the other plug. A current bridge is arranged between the collar and the protective pin in at least one connecting part. This bridge electrically connects the two busbars and over which the collar and the protective pin extend on the mating side.

[0005] However, there is still a risk that the user will come into contact with the current bridge.

[0006] The invention is therefore based on the object of overcoming the aforementioned disadvantages and providing a connector in which contact protection is optimized.

[0007] This problem is solved by the combination of features according to claim 1.

[0008] The basic idea of ​​the invention is that a protective sleeve is provided for the plug and the mating plug, which protrudes from the plug or mating plug in such a way that a user cannot come into contact with the current bridge during assembly, for example, and / or the fastening means for fastening the plug to the mating plug are arranged so as to be electrically insulated from the corresponding busbar. This is further improved by a protective sleeve arranged at a radial distance from the first fastening means, at least in the region of the first current bridge element, since, for example, a gap between the protective sleeve and the collar, in which a current bridge for the busbar is arranged, is smaller than in a design in which the protective sleeve is arranged directly on the fastening means.

[0009] According to the invention, a plug connector, in particular a module connector, for the electrically conductive connection of a first busbar to a second busbar, in particular of an energy storage device or modules of an energy storage device of an electric drive of a motor vehicle, is therefore proposed, comprising a plug and a mating plug. The plug can be connected to the first busbar and the mating plug can be connected to the second busbar. The plug has a first fastening means and the mating plug has a second fastening means complementary to the first fastening means. Furthermore, a current bridge is provided for the electrically conductive connection of the first busbar to the second busbar in an assembled state. The plug has a first current bridge element of the current bridge and the mating plug has a second current bridge element of the current bridge.Furthermore, the plug and the mating plug each have contact protection with an outer electrically insulated sleeve and an electrically insulated protective sleeve, at least on a designated plug-in side. The protective sleeve is surrounded by the sleeve, in particular coaxially. Furthermore, the current bridge, in particular the first current bridge element and the second current bridge element, are each arranged, preferably coaxially, between the corresponding sleeve and the corresponding protective sleeve. Furthermore, at least the respective sleeve protrudes from the current bridge on the corresponding plug-in side. The respective protective sleeve is arranged at a radial distance from the first fastening means, at least in the region of the first current bridge element, and at least the protective sleeve of the plug protrudes from the sleeve of the plug.

[0010] In an advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the protective sleeve of the plug protrudes from the first current bridge element on the plug-in side.

[0011] In a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the protective sleeve of the mating connector protrudes from the second current bridge element on the plug-in side.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the respective protective sleeve has a collar and, in the assembled state, is arranged between the corresponding busbar and the corresponding fastening means in such a way that the corresponding fastening means is electrically insulated from the corresponding busbar.

[0013] Furthermore, an embodiment is favorable in which at least one of the protective sleeves is divided into a collar section and a sleeve section, which are arranged adjacent to one another and / or in contact with one another in the assembled state.

[0014] Preferably, the connector is designed such that the second fastening means protrudes from the protective sleeve of the mating connector.

[0015] In an alternative embodiment of the present connector, at least one of the fastening means contacts the corresponding busbar in an electrically conductive manner in the mounted state.

[0016] It is further advantageous if a washer, preferably made of carbon steel, is arranged between the first fastening means and the protective sleeve of the plug.

[0017] In one embodiment variant, the plug connector according to the invention is designed such that a free end of the first fastening means is surrounded by the first current bridge element in the assembled state and a free end of the second fastening means protrudes from the second current bridge element on the plug-in side, or such that the free end of the second fastening means is surrounded by the second current bridge element in the assembled state and the free end of the first fastening means protrudes from the first current bridge element on the plug-in side.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening means can be connected by means of a screw connection. In particular, the first fastening means is designed as a screw, preferably a fully threaded screw, and the second fastening means is designed as a nut. Furthermore, screw insulation is preferably arranged on a screw head for electrical insulation.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one of the protective sleeves has a contact projection for contacting the corresponding current bridge element. In particular, the corresponding current bridge element has a contact shoulder for the corresponding contact projection.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the first current bridge element and / or the second current bridge element has a projection for engagement with the corresponding sleeve.

[0021] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention, a welding wire is provided on the first current bridge element and / or the second current bridge element such that the corresponding welding wire is arranged in the mounted state at a contact area between the corresponding current bridge element and the corresponding busbar.

[0022] In a further embodiment of the invention, the plug and / or the mating plug have an electrically insulating sheath. The corresponding sleeve is preferably formed integrally with the corresponding sheath. The sheath of the plug preferably has a mounting recess for the screw. The respective sheath is, in particular, divided into a first sheathing element and a second sheathing element. Preferably, the first sheathing element and the second sheathing element each have complementary fixing means.

[0023] The features disclosed above can be combined as desired, as long as this is technically possible and they do not contradict each other.

[0024] Other advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are presented in more detail below, together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1a a sectional view of a connector in a non-mated state; Fig. 1b a sectional view of the connector in a mated state; Fig. 1c a perspective view of the connector; Fig. 2a a sectional view of a second connector in a non-mated state; Fig. 2b a sectional view of the second connector in a plugged state; Fig. 2c a perspective view of the second connector; Fig. 3a a sectional view of a third connector in a non-mated state; Fig. 3b a sectional view of the third connector in a plugged state; Fig. 3c a perspective view of the third connector; Fig. 4a is a sectional view of a fourth connector in a non-mated state; Fig. 4b a sectional view of the fourth connector in a plugged state; Fig. 4c a perspective view of the fourth connector.

[0025] The figures are schematic examples. Identical reference numerals in the figures indicate identical functional and / or structural features.

[0026] In Fig. 1a is a sectional view of a connector 1 in a non-mated state and in Fig. 1b shows a sectional view of the connector 1 in a plugged state. Fig. 1c shows a perspective view of the connector 1.

[0027] The plug connector, in particular a module connector, for the electrically conductive connection of a first busbar 4 to a second busbar 5 of an energy storage device of an electric drive of a motor vehicle has a plug 2 and a mating plug 3. The plug 2 is connected to the first busbar 4 and the mating plug 3 is connected to the second busbar 5. Furthermore, the plug 2 has a first fastening means 21 and the mating plug 3 has a second fastening means 31 complementary to the first fastening means 21. In addition, a current bridge 6 is provided for the electrically conductive connection of the first busbar 4 to the second busbar 5 in an assembled state. The plug 2 has a first current bridge element 26 of the current bridge 6 and the mating plug 3 has a second current bridge element 36 of the current bridge 6, both of which are sleeve-shaped.Furthermore, the plug 2 and the mating plug 3 each have, at least on a designated mating side 20, 30, a contact protection device 7 with an outer electrically insulated sleeve 71 and an electrically insulated protective sleeve 72. Furthermore, the protective sleeve 72 is coaxially surrounded by the sleeve 71. The current bridge is arranged coaxially between the corresponding sleeve 71 and the corresponding protective sleeve 72. Furthermore, at least the respective sleeve 71 protrudes from the current bridge 6 on the corresponding mating side 20, 30.

[0028] The respective protective sleeve 72 is arranged at a radial distance from the first fastening means 21 at least in the region of the first current bridge element 26 and at least the protective sleeve 72 of the plug 2 protrudes from the sleeve 71 of the plug 2. In this case, Fig. 1, the protective sleeve 72 of the plug 2 also protrudes from the first current bridge element 26 on the plug-in side 20.

[0029] Furthermore, the respective protective sleeve 72 has a collar 721 and, in the assembled state, is arranged between the corresponding busbar 4, 5 and the corresponding fastening means 21, 31 such that the corresponding fastening means 21, 31 is electrically insulated from the corresponding busbar 4, 5. Furthermore, the second fastening means 31 protrudes from the protective sleeve 72 of the mating connector 3.

[0030] A free end of the first fastening means 21 is surrounded by the first current bridge element 26 in the assembled state and a free end of the second fastening means 31 protrudes from the second current bridge element 36 on the plug-in side 30.

[0031] Furthermore, the fastening means 21, 31 are connectable or connected by means of a screw connection. The first fastening means 21 is designed as a fully threaded screw, and the second fastening means 31 is designed as a nut. Furthermore, a screw insulation 12 is arranged on a screw head for electrical insulation of the screw head.

[0032] Furthermore, the first current bridge element 26 and the second current bridge element 36 have a projection 8 for engagement with the corresponding sleeve 71.

[0033] A welding wire 9 is provided on the first current bridge element 26 and the second current bridge element 36 such that the corresponding welding wire 9 is arranged in the assembled state at a contact area between the corresponding current bridge element 26, 36 and the corresponding busbar 4, 5.

[0034] Furthermore, the plug 2 and the mating plug 3 have an electrically insulating sheath 13, in which the corresponding sleeve 71 is formed integrally on the sheath 13. Furthermore, the sheath 13 of the plug 2 has a mounting recess for the screw. Furthermore, the respective sheath 13 is divided into a first sheath element 131 and a second sheath element 132, and the first sheath element 131 and the second sheath element 132 each have complementary fixing means.

[0035] In Fig. 2a is a sectional view of a second connector 1 in a non-mated state and in Fig. Figure 2b shows a sectional view of the second connector 1 in a plugged state. Fig. 2c shows a perspective view of the second connector 1.

[0036] Since the second connector essentially has the features of the Fig. 1a, only different and / or additional features will be discussed below.

[0037] In the second connector, the protective sleeve 72 of the plug 2 is divided into a collar portion and a sleeve portion, which, in the assembled state, are arranged so as to abut one another and / or contact one another. Furthermore, the protective sleeve 72 of the plug 2 has a contact projection 722 for contacting the corresponding current bridge element 26, and the corresponding current bridge element 26 has a contact shoulder 11 for the corresponding contact projection 722.

[0038] In Fig. 3a is a sectional view of a third connector 1 in a non-mated state and in Fig. 3b shows a sectional view of the third connector 1 in a plugged state. Fig. 3c shows a perspective view of the third connector 1.

[0039] Since the third connector essentially has the features of the Fig. 1a, only different and / or additional features will be discussed below.

[0040] The respective protective sleeve 72 has no collar and both fastening means 21, 31 contact the corresponding busbar 4, 5 in an electrically conductive manner when mounted.

[0041] Furthermore, the protective sleeve 72 of the plug 2 protrudes from the first current bridge element 26 on the plug-in side 20 and the protective sleeve 72 of the mating plug 3 protrudes from the second current bridge element 36 on the plug-in side 30.

[0042] In addition, the protective sleeve 72 of the mating connector has a contact projection 722 for engagement with the corresponding current bridge element 36. The corresponding current bridge element 36 has a contact shoulder 11 for the corresponding contact projection 722.

[0043] Furthermore, the protective sleeve 72 of the plug 2 and the protective sleeve 72 of the mating plug 3 are arranged overlapping each other in the assembled state.

[0044] In Fig. 4a is a sectional view of a fourth connector 1 in a non-mated state and in Fig. 4b shows a sectional view of the fourth connector 1 in a plugged state. Fig. 4c shows a perspective view of the fourth connector 1.

[0045] Since the third connector essentially has the features of the Fig. 3a, only different and / or additional features will be discussed below.

[0046] A washer 14 made of carbon steel is arranged between the first fastening means 21 and the protective sleeve 72 of the plug 2.

[0047] The invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments described above. Rather, a number of variants are conceivable that utilize the solution presented even in fundamentally different embodiments.

Claims

[1] Connector (1) for the electrically conductive connection of a first busbar (4) to a second busbar (5), with a plug (2) and a mating plug (3), wherein the plug (2) is connectable to the first busbar (4) and the mating plug (3) is connectable to the second busbar (5), wherein the plug (2) has a first fastening means (21) and the mating plug (3) has a second fastening means (31) complementary to the first fastening means (21), wherein a current bridge (6) is provided for the electrically conductive connection of the first busbar (4) to the second busbar (5) in an assembled state, wherein the plug (2) has a first current bridge element (26) of the current bridge (6) and the mating plug (3) has a second current bridge element (36) of the current bridge (6), wherein the plug (2) and the mating plug (3) each have, at least on one intended plug-in side (20, 30), a contact protection (7) with an outer electrically insulated sleeve (71) and an electrically insulated protective sleeve (72), wherein the protective sleeve (72) is surrounded by the sleeve (71), in particular coaxially, wherein the current bridge (6), in particular coaxially, is arranged between the corresponding sleeve (71) and the corresponding protective sleeve (72), wherein at least the respective sleeve (71) protrudes from the current bridge (6) on the corresponding plug-in side (20, 30), wherein the respective protective sleeve (72) is arranged radially spaced from the first fastening means (21) at least in the region of the first current bridge element (26), wherein at least the protective sleeve (72) of the plug (2) protrudes from the sleeve (71) of the plug (2). [2] Connector (1) according to claim 1, wherein further the protective sleeve (72) of the plug (2) protrudes from the first current bridge element (26) on the plug-in side (20). [3] Connector (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein furthermore the protective sleeve (72) of the mating connector (3) protrudes from the second current bridge element (36) on the plug-in side (30). [4] Connector (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the respective protective sleeve (72) has a collar (721) and is arranged in the assembled state between the corresponding busbar (4, 5) and the corresponding fastening means (21, 31) in such a way that the corresponding fastening means (21, 31) is electrically insulated from the corresponding busbar (4, 5). [5] Connector (1) according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the protective sleeves (72) is divided into a collar portion and a sleeve portion, which in the assembled state are arranged to abut against one another and / or to contact one another. [6] Connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second fastening means (31) protrudes from the protective sleeve (72) of the mating connector (3). [7] Connector (1) according to claims 2 and 3, wherein at least one of the fastening means (21, 31) in the mounted state makes electrically conductive contact with the corresponding busbar (4, 5). [8] Connector (1) according to claim 7, wherein a washer (14), preferably made of carbon steel, is arranged between the first fastening means (21) and the protective sleeve (72) of the plug (2). [9] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a free end of the first fastening means (21) is surrounded by the first current bridge element (26) in the assembled state and a free end of the second fastening means (31) protrudes from the second current bridge element (36) on the plug-in side (30), or wherein the free end of the second fastening means (31) is surrounded by the second current bridge element (36) in the assembled state and the free end of the first fastening means (21) protrudes from the first current bridge element (26) on the plug-in side (20). [10] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means (21, 31) can be connected by means of a screw connection, wherein in particular the first fastening means (21) is designed as a screw, preferably a fully threaded screw, and the second fastening means (31) is designed as a nut, wherein a screw insulation (12) for electrical insulation is preferably arranged on a screw head of the screw. [11] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the protective sleeves (72) has a contact projection (722) for contact with the corresponding current bridge element (26, 36), wherein the corresponding current bridge element (26, 36) in particular has a contact shoulder (11) for the corresponding contact projection (722). [12] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first current bridge element (26) and / or the second current bridge element (36) has a projection (8) for engagement with the corresponding sleeve (71). [13] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a welding wire (9) is provided on the first current bridge element (26) and / or the second current bridge element (36) such that the corresponding welding wire (9) is arranged in the mounted state at a contact area between the corresponding current bridge element (26, 36) and the corresponding busbar (4, 5). [14] Connector (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the plug and / or the mating plug have an electrically insulating sheath (13), wherein the corresponding sleeve is preferably formed integrally on the sheath, wherein preferably the sheath (13) of the plug has a mounting recess for the screw, wherein the respective sheath (13) is formed divided into a first sheath element (131) and a second sheath element (132), in particular for mounting, wherein the first sheath element (131) and the second sheath element (132) each have complementary fixing means.

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