HIGH-VOLTAGE DEVICE FOR OPERATING A HIGH-VOLTAGE APPLICATION

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-voltage device for operating a high-voltage application, in particular a high-voltage device with which contact protection of the live elements can be ensured. State of the art

[0002] Current HV systems (power electronics, HV batteries, electric motors, etc.) in the automotive sector are protected by safety systems such as touch protection measures and shutdown systems. This is intended to prevent accidental contact with live components. Therefore, before touching live components, it is important to ensure that these components are disconnected from the power supply.

[0003] EP 2 705 970 A2 describes a safety system for vehicles to reduce the risk of electric shock from a battery. This safety system de-energizes the vehicle when a power plug is removed.

[0004] The document DE 10 2011 108447 A1 discloses a method and a system for detecting a change in a connection state of two connecting elements within a vehicle.

[0005] Furthermore, the document EP 1 401 061 B1 discloses a structure of a high-voltage device and a high-voltage connecting part for safely carrying out maintenance and inspection of the high-voltage device mounted on an electric vehicle.

[0006] One common system involves interrogating all removable parts (e.g., plugs and covers) using an electrical loop. If this interrogation loop is interrupted, the high-voltage safety-relevant areas are de-energized and de-energized. In many products, this is achieved using two additional pins of an existing connector (e.g., vehicle signal connector or air conditioning compressor connector). Covers or other removable parts have a mechanical gate that prevents the cover from being removed before the plug is removed. Thus, before the cover(s) are opened, this plug is removed, and the entire system is discharged.

[0007] The background to the invention is that these safety systems for voltage shutdown are complex. Such safety systems usually require several components to ensure voltage shutdown when the contact protection cover is removed.

[0008] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a high-voltage device for operating a high-voltage application, which has an improved safety system by which the voltage can be switched off when the contact protection cover is removed. This safety system should also be economically feasible. Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The object is achieved by a high-voltage device for operating a high-voltage application having the features of claim 1. The respective dependent claims reflect advantageous developments of the invention.

[0010] The invention specifies a high-voltage device for operating a high-voltage application. The high-voltage device comprises at least one detection means for detecting an open contact protection cover for at least one live element, wherein a signal can be emitted via the detection means before the contact protection cover is completely removed, and a disconnection device connected to the detection means and via which the live element can be disconnected from a high-voltage network based on the signal emitted by the detection means. The detection means is arranged on at least one connecting means securing the contact protection cover, so that a release of this connecting means can be detected in order to determine removal of the contact protection cover.

[0011] A contact protection cover, as defined by the invention, is any type of cover that can protect a live element from direct contact. The live element is a component that can cause an electric shock to a user upon contact. To do this, it is necessary to isolate this live part from a high-voltage network so that the live part is de-energized. This allows a user to touch this element without receiving an electric shock.

[0012] To ensure such a separation from the high-voltage network, it must be reliably detected that a user could potentially touch this live element. This is achieved by removing the contact protection cover.

[0013] The invention generates a signal before the contact protection cover is removed, disconnecting the live element from the high-voltage network. This signal is triggered when the connecting element securing the contact protection cover is released. This disconnects the live element from the high-voltage network at an early stage. Furthermore, no additional moving elements are required for detection. Instead, only the release of the connecting elements, which must be movable anyway, is detected. This saves the installation space for these additional moving elements. This simplifies the design of such a safety system and makes it more economical to manufacture.

[0014] According to the invention, the detection means is a sensor. Sensors are available in a wide variety of designs on the market. The different sensor types allow the release of the connecting means to be detected in different ways. Furthermore, a suitable sensor can be selected according to the desired detection method. This allows the high-voltage device to be manufactured economically.

[0015] According to the invention, the sensor is a Hall sensor or an oscillating circuit. The Hall sensor has the advantage that, due to the contactless sensor principle, it is subject to minimal wear and tear and achieves an exceptionally long service life. The measurement results are also very reliable. The oscillating circuit has the advantage of a compact design and also operates contactlessly, which also ensures a long service life.

[0016] According to the invention, the detection means is arranged on a receptacle for the connecting means. The receptacle is preferably formed by a component that is independent of the contact protection cover. This allows the connecting means to be released and the contact protection cover removed without having to modify the detection means. This increases the safety of such a high-voltage device.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the shutdown device and the voltage-carrying element are arranged in structurally separate areas of the high-voltage device. The structurally separate areas are preferably formed by different housing spaces. Therefore, means must be provided to ensure signal transmission from the detection means to the shutdown device. Such signal transmission is preferably provided via signal lines. However, such an arrangement has the advantage that the shutdown device can be integrated into a circuit arrangement of the high-voltage device.

[0018] Advantageously, the detection means is located in the same area as the shutdown device. This eliminates the need to cross any structural components separating the two areas. This simplifies routing the signal line between the detection means and the shutdown device. Furthermore, the signal line paths are shortened. This simplifies signal transmission between the detection means and the shutdown device, making it possible to manufacture a high-voltage device with such a safety system economically.

[0019] In a further advantageous embodiment, the contact protection cover is designed as a lid that closes the area in which the live element is accommodated. This allows contact protection to be implemented simultaneously through a closure element, eliminating the need for a separate contact protection cover in addition to the lid. This allows such a high-voltage device to be manufactured more economically.

[0020] In an advantageous further development, the cover is made of sheet metal. The advantage of sheet metal is that it is more cost-effective than, for example, die-casting. Furthermore, sheet metal is easier to process. This allows for a high-voltage device that is more economical to manufacture.

[0021] The invention additionally encompasses a vehicle with the high-voltage device according to the invention. Such a vehicle achieves the advantages mentioned for the high-voltage device.

[0022] Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawing and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows: Figure 1Embodiment of a high-voltage device for operating a high-voltage application, Figure 2Embodiment of the high-voltage device according to Figure 1 with the contact protection cover open, and Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a working principle of the detection means before and after a connection means is released.

[0023] In Figure 1An embodiment of a high-voltage device 10 for operating a high-voltage application (not shown) is shown. The high-voltage device 10 in the embodiment shown comprises a housing 14. The housing 14 is structurally divided into a first region 18 and a second region 22, wherein both regions 18, 22 are separated from each other. In the first region 18, which is shown here without the housing cover 26 for a better view (see Figure 2 ), a circuit arrangement 30 for operating the high-voltage application is arranged.

[0024] In the second area 22 there is a voltage-carrying element 34 (see Figure 2). In this figure, the second area 22 is shown with a contact protection cover 38. This contact protection cover 38, which is designed here as a lid, protects a user from touching the live element 34. The contact protection cover 38 is fastened via connecting means 42, which are designed here as screws. The connecting means 42 are received in receptacles 46 for the connecting means, which are formed by the housing 14.

[0025] Two of these receptacles 46 border both the first region 18 and the second region 22. In this exemplary embodiment, a detection means 50 is arranged on one of these receptacles 46 bordering both regions 18, 22. The detection means 50 is positioned in the first region 18, in which the circuit arrangement 30 for operating the high-voltage application is also arranged.

[0026] In this embodiment, the detection means 50 is embodied as a sensor. This sensor 50 is connected via a signal line 54 to a shutdown device 58, which is arranged in the circuit arrangement 30. The arrangement of the detection means 50 in the same area 18 as the circuit arrangement 30 ensures a simple connection of the signal line 54 to the circuit arrangement 30 and thus to the shutdown device 58.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the high-voltage device 10 according to Figure 1with the touch protection cover 38 open. In this figure, the housing cover 26, which covers the first area 18, is attached to the housing 14, whereas the touch protection cover 38 is not shown, allowing a view into the second area 22. Before removing the touch protection cover 38, the four connecting means 42 were released. The release of the connecting means 42 was detected by the detection means 50, so that the live element 34 was disconnected from the high-voltage network.

[0028] In the Figure 2An optional cap 62 is shown. This cap 62 is arranged over the live elements 34, which are designed here as contacts, in an operating state of the high-voltage device 10, and has already been folded up. This allows access to the live elements 34. In this position, electrical lines (not shown) can be inserted into openings 66 of the high-voltage device 10 and contacted with the live elements 34.

[0029] Figure 3shows an exemplary embodiment of an operating principle of the detection means 50 before and after a connection means 42 is released. The operating principle is illustrated here using a detection means 50 designed as a Hall sensor. Partial figure A shows the state before the connection means 42 is released. In this exemplary embodiment, the receptacle 46 forms a thread 68 for the connection means 42. The detection means 50 is arranged at a height on the receptacle 46 such that the connection means 42, when inserted, lies in the region of a measuring point 70 formed by the detection means 50. The detection means 50 thus detects the presence of a connection means 42.

[0030] Sub-figure B shows a state after the connecting means 42 has been released. When the connecting means 42 leaves the area of ​​the measuring point 70, the detection means 50 registers, based on a change in the measured value, that the connecting means 42 is or has been removed. As a result, the detection means 50 sends a signal 74 to the disconnection device 58 via the signal line 54, so that the live element 34 can be disconnected from the high-voltage network before the contact protection cover 38 is removed.

Claims

1. High-voltage device (10) for operating a high-voltage application, wherein the high-voltage device (10) comprises at least: - a detection means (50) for identifying an open contact-protection cover (38) for at least one voltage-carrying element (34), wherein a signal (74) can be emitted via the detection means (50) before a complete removal of the contact-protection cover (38), and - a switch-off apparatus (58), which is connected to the detection means (50) and via which the voltage-carrying element (34) can be disconnected from a high-voltage system by means of the signal (74) emitted by the detection means (50), wherein the detection means (50) is arranged on at least one connecting means (42) that secures the contact-protection cover (38) such that a release of this connecting means (42) can be detected in order to determine a removal of the contact-protection cover (38), characterized in that the detection means (50) is a sensor, wherein the sensor (50) is a Hall sensor or a resonant circuit, wherein the detection means (50) is arranged on a receptacle (46) for the connecting means (42), wherein the detection means (50) is arranged on the receptacle (46) at a height such that the connecting means (42) is in an inserted state in the region of a measuring point (70) formed by the detection means (50), as a result of which the detection means (50) identifies an existing connecting means (42).

2. High-voltage device (10) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the switch-off apparatus (58) and the voltage-carrying element (34) are arranged in structurally separated areas (18, 22) of the high-voltage device (10).

3. High-voltage device (10) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the detection means (50) is arranged in the same area (18) as the switch-off apparatus (58).

4. High-voltage device (10) according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the contact-protection cover (38) is designed as a cap, which closes the area (22) in which the voltage-carrying element (34) is received.

5. High-voltage device (10) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the cap (38) is made of sheet metal.

6. Vehicle comprising a high-voltage device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.