HIGH-VOLTAGE CONNECTOR ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a high-voltage connector arrangement with a stationary first connector with a first connector housing, with a movably arranged second connector with a second connector housing, wherein the first and the second connector have mutually complementary and connectable plug contact elements, and wherein the second connector has connecting lines connected to its plug contact elements, the outgoing direction of which runs perpendicular to the connection direction of the two connectors, and wherein the second connector has a position securing element which is displaceable perpendicular to the connection direction and which mechanically locks the two connectors together when the connectors are joined together in a sliding position.

[0002] Such high-voltage connector assemblies are used, for example, in electric vehicles for connecting the traction battery. A second connector comprises single-core high-current cables. These cables, which, in keeping with their intended application, have a relatively large cross-section, are therefore relatively rigid and have a relatively high weight along their length. This is particularly problematic in connector assemblies designed as angled connectors, as the weight of the high-current cables and their leverage exert a considerable force on the interconnected connector housings, leading to tilting of the connected plug contact elements if these forces are not appropriately absorbed.

[0003] In addition, such high-voltage connector arrangements are particularly sensitive to vibration loads, which regularly occur in motor vehicles. This creates relative movements between the interconnected connectors, which lead to increased frictional wear on the electrical connector contact elements.

[0004] A generic high-voltage connector assembly is known from German patent application DE 10 2018 009 478 A1. In this assembly, one of the two connectors has a rotary lever on which a position-locking element is located. When the rotary lever is moved, it brings the two connectors together and also actuates a slider, which, when moved, provides additional positive locking of the two connectors. However, the mechanism required for this is relatively complex and also requires a connector with a rotary lever.

[0005] Furthermore, a generic high-voltage connector arrangement is known from CN 112 038 837 A.

[0006] The task was to create a generic high-voltage connector arrangement in a simple and cost-effective manner in which the aforementioned problems are eliminated or minimized.

[0007] This object is achieved according to the invention in that the position-securing element has at least two pairs of pins whose longitudinal axes are aligned in the displacement direction of the position-securing element and which are arranged in pairs one behind the other with respect to the displacement direction of the position-securing element. In the sliding position locking the connectors, each of the pins of the position-securing element engages in a respective recess on the first connector and in a respective recess on the second connector. Thus, pins are provided that can be applied between the first and second connector housings and additionally lock and stabilize the mechanical connection between these connector housings. In order to avoid the need for additional components for the pinning function, this function is realized by means of the position-securing element.For this purpose, appropriate geometries are provided on the position securing element as well as on the connector housings.

[0008] Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claim and the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Figure 1 shows a high-voltage connector arrangement with a position securing element in a pre-locking position, Figure 2 shows a high-voltage connector arrangement with a position securing element in a final locking position, Figure 3 shows a position securing element in an isometric view, Figure 4 shows the position securing element in a view from above, Figure 5 shows a first sectional view of the high-voltage connector arrangement with the position securing element in the pre-locking position, Figure 6 shows a sectional view according to the Figure 5with the position securing element in the final locking position, Figure 7 a second sectional view of the high-voltage connector arrangement with the position securing element in the pre-locking position, Figure 8 a sectional view according to the Figure 7 with the position securing element in the final locking position.

[0009] The Figures 1 and 2 show a high-voltage connector arrangement consisting of two connectors 10, 20, which can be used, for example, in an electric vehicle. The first connector 10 is fixedly connected to a mounting surface 50, which can be, for example, part of the body of the electric vehicle. The second connector 20 forms a movably arranged connector with a plurality of connecting lines 30, which can be separated from the first connector 10 and thus from the electric vehicle.

[0010] The first connector 10 includes a first connector housing 11, while the second connector 20 includes a second connector housing 21.

[0011] The first connector 10 has electrical connections 17 that extend through the mounting surface 50 and whose outgoing direction on the first connector housing 11 runs downwards perpendicular to its mounting surface 50, and thus at a right angle to the outgoing direction of the connecting lines 30 of the second connector housing 21. The connector arrangement shown here is thus designed as an angled connector arrangement.

[0012] The two connectors 10, 20 have internally complementary pin and socket-like plug contact elements, which can be designed as flat or round plugs. Figures 1 and 2show the first and second connectors 10, 20 in the already plugged-together state, in which the mutually complementary plug contact elements of the first and second connectors 10, 20 - not recognizable here as individual parts - are already connected to one another.

[0013] In the Figure 1 In the assembly state shown, the two joined connectors 10, 20 are not yet sufficiently secured against loosening of the plug connection, but are only fastened by a locking hook located on the second connector 20, which is not visible in the drawing and which defines the final locking position. To enable robust securing, a position securing element 40 is slidably arranged on the second connector 20, which in one of at least two possible sliding positions provides a positive locking

[0014] Connection to the first connector 10. Position assurance elements 40 are generally known and are often referred to as CPA elements ("Connector Position Assurance").

[0015] Preferably, the position securing element 40 can be moved between two locking positions, which are defined by locking springs 42 on the position securing element 40, which can lock into the second connector 20.

[0016] High-voltage connector assemblies for electrically powered vehicles generally carry relatively high currents in addition to relatively high voltages. To accommodate these circumstances, the connecting cables 30, which are connected to the movably arranged second connector 20, have a relatively large conductor cross-section and a comparatively thick insulating sheath. This, in turn, causes the connecting cables 30 to be quite heavy and, especially in the angled connector design described here, exerts a considerable leverage effect on the interconnected connectors.

[0017] In addition, the vibration effects occurring in a motor vehicle lead to considerable frictional loads on the electrical plug contact elements of the connectors 10, 20, as well as on the plastic parts of the connector housings 11, 21.

[0018] To minimize these loads, it is advantageous to connect the two connector housings 11, 21 as stably as possible. This is achieved in particular by a special design of the position securing element 40, which is Figures 3 and 4 is shown as a single part.

[0019] The Figure 3 shows the position-securing element 40 as a box-like component that is open at a front and a bottom side. The position-securing element 40 has an upper side 47, the inner surface of which, when mounted, rests displaceably on the second connector 20. Two side parts 48, integrally connected to the upper side 47, each have a molded-in detent spring 42 that can engage with the first connector housing 11 in at least two sliding positions of the position-securing element 40.

[0020] A rear side 49 connected to the top side 47 and the side parts 48 limits a possible displacement of the position securing element 40 in the outgoing direction of the connecting cable 30.

[0021] The position securing element 40 has two pins 44, 46 connected to the side parts 48, which are located on the second connector 20 (see Figure 2 ) extend parallel to each other in the outgoing direction of the connecting cable 30. These pins 44, 46 are also referred to below as front pins 44, 46.

[0022] As the Figure 4 shows, two pins 43, 45 are also connected to the rear side 49 of the position securing element 40, which are referred to below as rear pins 43, 45 for differentiation.

[0023] The two rear pins 43, 45, each shorter than the two front pins 44, 46, are formed here as one-piece moldings on the rear side 49 of the position-securing element 40, while the front pins 44, 46 are molded onto the side parts 48 of the position-securing element 40. To achieve particularly high stability, the front pins 44, 46 can advantageously be designed as metal pins.

[0024] According to the invention, the position-securing element 40 comprises at least two pairs of pins 43, 44; 45, 46, whose longitudinal axes are aligned in the direction of displacement of the position-securing element 40 and which are arranged in pairs one behind the other with respect to the direction of displacement of the position-securing element 40. In this case, a rear pin 43, 45 and a front pin 44, 46 are considered together as a pin pair.

[0025] The paired front and rear pins 43, 44 and 45, 46 are arranged one behind the other in the direction of displacement of the position securing element 40 and are also aligned parallel to each other, which, however, as the Figure 4 shows, does not necessarily require an aligned arrangement.

[0026] A double pair of pins 43, 44; 45, 46, as shown here, is particularly advantageous, as it allows for symmetrical mechanical stabilization on both long sides of the two connector housings 11, 21. However, it is also possible to provide a larger number of such pin pairs 43, 44 or 45, 46.

[0027] As already mentioned, the position securing element 40 on the second connector 20 can be brought into at least two sliding positions, which are in the Figures 1 and 2 are shown. In the Figure 1the position securing element 40 is in a pre-locking position relative to the connector housings 11, 21, while in the Figure 2 has reached a final locking position.

[0028] In the pre-locking position, the two connector housings 11, 21 shown in the mated state can be easily detached from each other by forcefully pulling them apart in the opposite direction to the connection direction, while the two connector housings 11, 21 are locked together when a position securing element 40 is in the final locking position.

[0029] The effect of the position securing element 40 in this regard is determined by the Figures 5 to 8 These figures each show a section through a portion of the interconnected connector housings 11, 21.

[0030] The Figures 5 and 6each show a vertical section along one of the rear pins 43, 45. In the illustrated sectional plane, a plug contact element 12 of the first connector 10, which is designed as a flat contact and belongs to the first connector 10, can also be seen.

[0031] In the in the Figure 5 In the pre-locking position shown, the rear pins 43, 45 formed on the position securing element 40 are located directly in front of a respective recess 13, 15 in the wall of the first connector housing 11. Immediately behind them and in alignment with the recesses 13, 15 there is a respective recess 23, 25 in a wall of the second connector housing 21. The cross-sectional shape and the cross-sectional size of the pins 43, 45 and the recesses 13, 15, 23, 25 are adapted to one another, so that the pins 43, 45 after a displacement of the position securing element 40 in the final locking position ( Figure 6) engage in the recesses 13, 15, 23, 25 with minimal play. By engaging the two pins 43, 45 in the recesses 13 and 23 on the one hand and in the recesses 15 and 25 on the other hand, a first locking of the first connector housing 11, 21 with the second connector housing is established.

[0032] When the position securing element 40 is moved from the pre-locking position to the final locking position, the two front pins 44, 46 are simultaneously inserted into second recesses 14, 16 on the first connector housing 11 and into second recesses 24, 26 on the second connector housing 21. These in the Figures 7 and 8 The second recesses 14, 16, visible in section, are designed here in the form of eyelets formed on both longitudinal sides of the first connector housing 11. After passing through the eyelets, the front pins 44, 46 reach recesses 24, 26 formed on the second connector housing 21 and are stabilized therein.

[0033] Each of the four pins 43, 44, 45, 46 thus protrudes through a respective recess 13, 14, 15, 16 of the first connector housing 11 as well as through a respective recess 23, 24, 25, 26 of the second connector housing 21

[0034] The position securing element 40 thus locks the first and the second connector housing 11, 21 with both its front and its rear pins 43, 44, 45, 46 at two mutually opposite locations of the peripheral region of the first connector housing 11, which both lie along the outgoing direction of the connecting lines 30.

[0035] The position securing element 40 arranged on the second connector housing 21 thus creates a stabilizing multiple locking between the two connector housings 11, 21 without increasing the assembly effort when connecting or disconnecting the connectors 10, 20. Reference symbol

[0036] 10First connector 11First connector housing 12Plug contact element(s) 13, 14, 15, 16Recess(es) 17Electrical connections 20Second connector 21Second connector housing 23, 24, 25, 26Recess(es) 30Connecting cable(s) 40Position securing element 42Locking spring(s) 43, 44, 45, 46Pins 47Top 48Side parts 49Rear 50Mounting surface

Claims

1. High-voltage plug assembly with a fixedly arranged first plug connector (10) having a first plug connector housing (11), with a movably arranged second plug connector (20) having a second plug connector housing (21), wherein the first and second plug connectors (10, 20) have plug contact elements (12) that are complementary to one another and can be connected to one another and the second plug connector (20) has connecting lines (30) connected to its plug contact elements, the outgoing direction of which connecting lines extends perpendicularly to the connection direction of the two plug connectors (10, 20), and wherein the second plug connector (20) has a position-securing element (40) that can be displaced perpendicular to the connection direction and that, when the plug connectors (10, 20) are mated, mechanically locks the two plug connectors (10, 20) to one another in a sliding position, characterized in that the position-securing element (40) has at least two pairs of pins (43, 44; 45, 46), the longitudinal axes of which are aligned in the direction of displacement of the position-securing element (40), and which, with respect to the direction of displacement of the positioning elements (40) are arranged in pairs one behind the other, and that in the sliding position in which the plug connectors are locked, each of the pins (43, 44, 45, 46) of the position-securing element (40) engages in each case in a recess (13, 14, 15, 16) on the first plug connector (10) and in each case in a recess (23, 24, 25, 26) on the second plug connector (20).

2. High-voltage plug assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the position-securing element (40) has exactly two pairs of integrally formed pins (43, 44, 45, 46).